IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS FOR SECURING EARRINGS TO THE EARS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Ward, of Number 44, Goodge Street,
Tottenham Court Road, in the Parish of St. Pancras, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS FOR SECURING
EARRINGS TO THE EARS."
Sealed the 23rd July 1872, and dated the 31st January 1872.
'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Ward at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st January 1872.
I, JOHN WARD, of Number 44, Goodge Street, Tottenham Court
Road, in the Parish of St. Pancras, London, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE AND MEANS FOR
SECURING EARRINGS TO THE EARS," to be as follows:--
A little clasp with a hinge at one end and a ball or a hook at the
other end to hold or grasp the hook of earrings after they have
passed through. the lobe of the ear. I do not confine myself to the
design or size of the said clasp for the above purpose. Its present.

page_text: design is a scroll, small at one end and large at the other, with the one
part of its hinge on the small end; I pierce the centre of the large end,
by so doing it enables me to push it through to the back which forms the
hook for the aforesaid purpose, at the same time retaining that design.
The other part of the hinge of the clasp I solder into the back or side of
the top of each earring.
Where the earring swings from its wire or hook I place that part of
the hinge unto the eye or ring of that wire or hook, so that in all cases
the wire of the earring must act as a spring against the ball or hook of
the said little clasp when closed.
"
The said clasp I stamp out with a die by a press in pairs, in all
metals according to the material of the earrings to which it has to be
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Ward in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 31st July 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WARD, of No. 44, Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road, in the Parish
of St. Pancras, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said John Ward, Her special
licence that I, the said John Ward, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Ward, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE AND MEANS FOR SECURING EARRINGS TO THE EARS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Ward, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under his, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain

page_text: the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same: was”
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great. Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Ward, 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:-
The object of my Invention is to securely fasten earrings after they
have been inserted in the lobe of the ear so that they shall not drop out
or be dragged out by coming into contact with a veil or other article of
apparel, earrings being frequently lost from such and other accidental
causes. /
The ordinary mode of attaching earrings is by a hook which is passed
through the lobe of the ear, and while this hook is sufficient for the
purpose of suspending the earring it has no fastening, and permits of
such easy withdrawal that the wearer. is frequently unconscious of the
loss of an earring until informed of the fact.
My Invention consists of a clasp with a hinge at one end and a hook,
claw, or ball at the other side, which being attached by solder, rivet,
cement, or otherwise to the back or side of the top of the earring, is made
to grasp the hook and hold it tight until released by the hand.
When owing to the peculiar configuration of the earring there is no
conspicuous part which may be called the "top" or other convenient place
whereto the hinge may be connected, I place one section of the hinge of
the clasp on the side of the fore part of the hook of the earring, so that
in all cases the clasp when closed is against the hook of the earring, the
hook of the former grasping the hook of the latter, which acts as a
spring against the clasp hook, when it has been passed through the lobe
of the ear, and rendering it almost impossible to detach one from the
other without the use of the hand.
The accompanying Drawings show my improved clasp. Figure 1
shows the clasp as fastening the hook. Figure 2 shows it open for
detaching. Figure 3 shows an earring and hook without a clasp.
Figures 4 and 5 show earrings with my clasp. Although I show this

page_text: form of clasp as an illustration of my Invention I do not. restrict myself
to this peculiar shape or design.
My improved clasps are made in the same manner as ordinary
jewellery, and may be either made simultaneously with the earring or be
attached afterwards.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and how the
same is to be carried into effect, I claim the use of a clasp for securing
earrings.
:
In witness whereof, I, the said John Ward, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of July, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
CHARLES BARLOW,'.·
Patent Agent,
23, Southampton Buildings,.
Chancery Lane.
JNO. WARD. (L.s.)