IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING OR ELASTIC CONNECTIONS FOR BRACES OR SUS- PENDERS, WAISTCOAT AND TROUSER STRAPS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE ARTICLES
Year: 1876

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING OR ELASTIC CONNECTIONS FOR BRACES OR SUS-
PENDERS, WAISTCOAT AND TROUSER STRAPS, AND FOR OTHER LIKE ARTICLES."
A. communication from abroad by Frank Armstrong, of Bridgeport, Connecticut,
United States of America.
Sealed the 9th September 1876, and dated the 13th April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th April 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING OR ELASTIC CON-
NECTIONS FOR BRACES OR SUSPENDERS, WAISTCOAT AND TROUSER STRAPS, AND FOR
OTHER LIKE ARTICLES." A communication.
This Invention relates to the peculiar construction of spring devices to be used
as elastic connections or attachments on braces or suspenders, waistcoat and trouser
straps or bands, and other bands, straps, or belts for wearing apparel, or for
similar use.
The said Invention consists in the peculiar construction of the spring or elastic
portion of the said devices, and in the combination of the said spring with the
metal loops or frames or similar parts usually employed as portions of braces and
other like articles is the means for attaching the said springs to these buckles,
loops or frames, and in the combination with the said springs of a triangular
metal frame for the attachment of the same to a brace or suspender or similar
article.
The spring or elastic portion of my Invention consists of a series of spiral or
coil springs made of fine wire and of small diameter. Through these spiral springs
I pass a tape or cord which is attached to the buckles, loops, or frames at the ends
of said springs to limit their expansion or extension, and prevent their being
subjected to such strains as would impair or destroy their elasticity.
These small spiral springs are arranged side by side so that the entire spring or
elastic portion composed of these small springs will lie flat upon any part of the
person upon which it is worn, and will be as easy and flexible as elastic webbing
or other like fabric heretofore used for the same purposes.
[Price 6d1

page_text: The buckles, loops, frames, or other metal pieces employed in connection with
these springs may be of any desired construction, but must be wide enough and of
suitable shape to permit the said springs to be securely and conveniently attached
to them.
In some instances I form on or attach to the buckle or loop a row or series of
small hooks, upon which the ends of the said small coils or spiral springs are
secured; or I form or fix on or connect with the buckle or frame or other metal
piece connected with the said springs a row or series of small sockets in which the
ends of the said springs are inserted and secured. These sockets form the means
for securing the said tapes or cords.
In some instances I fit on the series of spiral springs between these two ends a
metal clip or strap to keep the said springs properly in place.
The aforesaid triangular inetal frame, which is chiefly designed for braces or
suspenders, has its triangular portion of the proper size to permit the brace to be
passed through and crossed or looped in the same. It also has a narrow slot or
aperture, the outer bar of which in combination with a long eye or tube on the
end piece of the spring forms a joint whereby the said triangular frame is connected
flexibly with the said spring.
The most important advantage obtained by the use of the said Invention is the
facility for tightening or slackening the brace or other article or garment to which
the said Invention is applied, the flexibility, and strength of the springs permitting
the said connections to always sit smoothly and evenly, and without any danger of
injuring the person wearing them, or of breaking or giving way at any part in
stooping, sitting down, or other changes of posture.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
October 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING OR ELASTIC CON-
NECTIONS FOR BRACES OR SUSPENDERS, WAISTCOAT AND TROUSER STRAPS, AND FOR
OTHER LIKE ARTICLES." A communication from abroad by Frank Armstrong, of
Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States of America.
This Invention relates to spring devices to be used as elastic connections or attach-
ments on braces or suspenders, waistcoat and trouser straps or bands, and other
bands, straps, or belts for wearing apparel, or for similar use.
The said Invention consists: First, in the peculiar construction of the spring or
elastic portion of the said devices. Second, in the combination of the said spring
portion with the metal loops or frames, or similar parts usually employed as portions
of braces and other like articles. Third, in the means for attaching the said spring
to these buckles, loops, or frames; and fourth, in the combination with the said
spring of a triangular metal frame for the attachment of the same to a brace or
'suspender or similar article all as herein-after set forth.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shown how the said Invention may be
conveniently carried into practise.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 illustrates the application of my Invention to the front portion of braces;
Figure 2 shews its application to the back portion of the same; Figure 3 shews the
said Invention adapted to a buckle for vests, trousers, or the like; Figure 4 shews
a slightly modified form of the said buckle and illustrates various methods of uniting
springs with such buckles according to my Invention.

page_text: Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
The spring or elastic portion of my Invention consists of a series of spiral or coil
springs a made of fine wire and of small diameter. Through these spiral springs I pass
a tape or cord b which is attached to the buckles, loops, or frames at the ends of the
said springs. These tapes or cords are of the proper length to allow the springs to
expand or extend but limit their expansion or extension, and prevent their being
subjected to such strains as would impair or destroy their elasticity. The said tapes
or cords are shewn in dotted lines through the springs.
The small spiral springs are arranged side by side so that the entire spring or
elastic portion composed of these small springs will lie flat upon any part of the
person upon which it is worn, and will be as easy and flexible as elastic, webbing,
or other like fabric heretofore used for the same or similar purposes.
The buckles, loops, frames, or other metal pieces employed in connection with this
spring may be of any desired construction, but must be wide enough and of suit-
able shape to permit the said springs a to be securely and conveniently attached
to them. In some instances I form on or attach to the buckle or loop a row
or series of small hooks c upon which the ends of the said small coils or spiral
springs are secured. I sometimes place over the ends of the springs at the point
of their connection with the buckle or frame or other metal piece a row or
series of small sockets d, and in some instances I fit on the series of spiral springs
between their two ends a metal clip or strap to keep the said springs properly
in place.
The triangular metal frame e which is chiefly designed for braces or suspenders,
has its triangular portion e¹ of the proper size to permit the brace to be passed
through and crossed or looped in the same, as shown in Figure 2; it also has a
narrow slot or aperture e², the outer bar of which in combination with a long eye
or tube f on the end piece of the spring forms a joint whereby the said triangular
frame is combined flexibly with the said spring.
The most important advantage obtained by the use of the said Invention is the
great facility it affords for tightening or slackening the brace or other article or
garment to which the said Invention is applied, the flexibility and strength of the
springs permitting the said connections always to sit smoothly and evenly, and
without any danger of injuring the person wearing them or of breaking or giving
way at any part in stooping, sitting down, or other changes of posture.
The device shewn in Figure 3 has a buckle g at each end, while that shewn in
Figure 4 has a buckle g at one end and a loop h at the other end. Both of
these forms of the said device will be found very advantageous for various pur-
poses.
Having thus fully described my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim the improvements in spring or elastic
connections as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
WM ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)