IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR ATTACH ING WATCHES. LOCKETS. ARTICLES OF JEWELLERY, AND ORNAMENTAL ARTICLES OF DRESS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES TO CHAINS, AND FOR ATTACHING CHAINS TO THE DRESS. PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY ALSO BE APPLIED TO KEY RINGS AND RINGS FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Reading, of Birmingham, in the County
"
. t
of Warwick, Stamper and Piercer and Gold Spring Swivel Manu-
facturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR ATTACH
ING WATCHES. LOCKETS. ARTICLES OF JEWELLERY, AND ORNAMENTAL ARTICLES
OF DRESS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES TO CHAINS, AND FOR ATTACHING CHAINS
TO THE DRESS. PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY ALSO BE APPLIED TO
KEY RINGS AND RINGS FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES."
LI
13
201
Sealed the 30th September 1864, and dated the 13th April 1864."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Reading at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th April 1864.
I, WILLIAM READING, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Stamper
and Piercer and Gold Spring Swivel Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR ATTACHING
WATCHES, LOCKETS, ARTICLES OF JEWELLERY, AND ORNAMENTAL ARTICLES OF DRESS.
AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES TO CHAINS, AND FOR ATTACHING CHAINS TO THE DRESS.
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY ALSO BE APPLIED TO KEY RINGS AND RINGS
FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
.1.
C. "
My Invention consists of the several improvements herein after described
in fastenings for attaching watches, lockets, articles of jewellery, and orna-
mental articles of dress, and other like articles to chains. The fastening
described under the second head of my Invention may also be used for attach-
ing chains to the dress, and the improvements in the fastenings described
under the first and third heads of my Invention may also be applied to key
rings and rings for other like purposes.
My Invention consists, firstly, of a fastening constructed in the following
FD077

page_text: manner: I make the said fastening of a piece of wire bent into the following
form. The upper part of the fastening has a bow or hook form, one limb of
the said bow being moveable outwards and constitutes an elastic tongue.
The wire proceeding from the fixed limb of the bow is bent into a nearly
circular figure, and constitutes the lower part of the fastening, the said lower
part having about three times the diameter of the upper part. The end of
the wire forming the lower circular part is bent inwards, terminating nearly
in the axis of the said lower part. The end of the moveable tongue of the
upper part rests nearly upon the top of the turned-in end of the lower part.
The chain upon which the fastening is suspended is passed through the
contracted upper part. In connecting a locket or other article to the fasten-
ing the ring of the locket is engaged with the turned-in end of the circular
lower part; it is then passed over the summit of the said turned-in part
pushing back the elastic tongue of the upper bow to the lower part of the
fastening; the locket is thereby securely attached to the fastening, and
cannot be removed until the locket is made to traverse from the bottom to
the top of the fastening over the top to the elastic tongue, from between the
bottom of which tongue and the top of the turned-in part the said locket can
be drawn by pressing the said tongue outwards. The improvements described
may be applied to key rings and other similar rings.
My Invention consists, secondly, of a fastening constructed in the following
manner: This fastening somewhat resembles in shape the ordinary watch
swivel. The bottom of the fastening consists of a hook, the said hook being
jointed at one side to the upper part of the stem carrying the ring, by which
the fastening is connected to the chain. The jointed upper part of the hook
works in a recess in the stem, the jointed part having some play upon the
joint pin to enable the said hook to have motion in the direction of the axis of
the fastening. The free end of the hook is bent nearly at right angles so as
to form a hooked projection. On the opposite limb of the hook, and on
opposite sides of the said limb, are studs or projections. When the hook is
brought into a line with the axis of the fastening the studs or projections
described on the jointed limb of the hook enter openings in the stem imme-
diately above the flange on the bottom of the said stem, while the hooked
projection on the free end of the hook engages with the top of the said flange
of the stem; the opening in the hook is thereby covered, and the said hook
securely connected to the stem. To disconnect the hook from the stem, the
said hook is pressed upwards so as to bring the joint pin to the bottom of the
slot in which it works; the hooked projection on the free end of the tongue
is thereby lifted from the flange with which it was engaged, and the studs or

page_text: projections on the other limb can be drawn out of the openings in the stem,
and the hook turned aside and the opening in, the said hook exposed. The
articles to be attached to the said hook can then be placed thereon and the
hook fastened to the stem in the manner already explained. The fastening
last described may also be used for connecting chains to the dress in place
of the ordinary swivel hook or Albert bar.
My Invention consists, thirdly, of a fastening constructed in the following
manner: This fastening has an annular figure, the moveable part of the
fastening consisting of a ring, a portion of which is cut away to permit of the
articles being passed on to the said ring. The said ring works in a hollow
fixed piece forming the top of the fastening, the said top piece having a some-
what greater radius than the ring. By turning the ring the opening in it can
be brought within the fixed top piece, and the said opening thereby covered.
The ring is fastened to the top piece when the opening in the ring is covered
the following manner:-Turning on the fixed top piece is a collar, in the
interior of which collar a hooked bolt or projection is fixed; the said collar is
capable of moving about a quadrant on the fixed top piece. On one of the
ends of the ring and on the under side thereof is a projection or tooth. When
the collar carrying the hooked bolt is turned in one direction the opening in
the said collar is clear, and the ring can be passed into the fixed top piece of
the fastening. By now turning the collar into a position at right angles to
that first explained, the hooked bolt carried by it engages with the projection
on the ring and prevents the ring being withdrawn from out the fixed top
piece. A stop on the opposite end of the ring to that described works in a
slot in the bottom of the top piece and prevents the ring being wholly with-
drawn from the said top piece. The rotary collar described carries at top a
small ring by which the fastening is secured to the chain. The improvements
described under this head of my Invention may also be applied to key rings
and rings for other similar purposes.
▸ SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Reading. in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th October 1864.
TO
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
READING, of Birmingham, in the County, of Warwick, Stamper and Piercer
and Gold Spring Swivel Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date...the Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Reading, Her special licence that I, the said William
Reading, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said William Reading, 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 "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR ATTACHING WATCHES. LOCKETS, ARTICLES OF
JEWELLERY, AND ORNAMENTAL ARTICLES OF DRESS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES TO
CHAINS, AND FOR ATTACHING CHAINS TO THE DRESS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE.
MENTS MAY ALSO BE APPLIED TO KEY RINGS AND RINGS FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Reading,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
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 William Reading, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
My Invention consists of the several improvements herein-after described in
fastenings for attaching watches, lockets, articles of jewellery, and ornamental
articles of dress, and other like articles to chains. The fastening described
under the second head of my Invention may also be used for attaching chains
to the dress, and the improvements in the fastenings described under the first
and third heads of my Invention may also be applied to key rings and rings
for other like purposes.
My Invention consists, firstly, of a fastening constructed in the following:
manner: I make the said fastening of a piece of wire bent into the following
form. The upper part of the fastening has a bow or hook form, one limb of
the said bow being moveable outwards and constitutes an elastic tongue. The
wire proceeding from the fixed limb of the bow is bent into a nearly circular
figure and constitutes the lower part of the fastening, the said lower part
having about three times the diameter of the upper part. The end of the
wire forming the lower circular part is bent inwards, terminating nearly in the

page_text: The
axis of the said lower part. The end of the moveable tongue of the upper
parts rests nearly upon the top of the turned-in end of the lower part.
chain upon which the fastening is suspended is passed through the contracted
upper part. In connecting a locket or other article to the fastening the ring
of the locket is engaged with the turned-in end of the circular lower part; it
is then passed over the summit of the said turned-in part, pushing back the
elastic tongue of the upper bow to the lower part of the fastening; the locket
is thereby securely attached to the fastening, and cannot be removed until the
locket is passed over the summit of the turned-in part to the elastic tongue,
from between the bottom of which tongue and the top of the turned-in part
The
the said locket can be drawn by pressing the said tongue outwards.
improvements described may be applied to key rings and to other similar
rings.
My Invention consists, secondly, of a fastening constructed in the following
manner: This fastening somewhat resembles in shape the ordinary watch
swivel. The bottom of the fastening consists of a hook, the said hook being
jointed at one side to the upper part of the stem carrying the ring by which
the fastening is connected to the chain. The jointed upper part of the hook
works in a recess in the stem, the jointed part having some play upon the
joint pin to enable the said hook to have motion in the direction of the axis
The free end of the hook is bent.
of and from the stem of the fastening.
On the opposite
nearly at right angles so as to form a hooked projection..
limb of the hook, and on opposite sides of the said limb, are studs or pro-
jections. When the hook is brought into a line with the axis of the fastening
the studs or projections described on the jointed limb of the hook enter
openings in the stem immediately above the flange on the bottom of the said
stem, while the hooked projection on the free end of the hook engages with
the opposite side of the said flange of the stem; the opening in the hook is
thereby covered, and the said hook securely connected to the stem. To dis-
connect the hook from the stem the said hook is pressed upwards so as to
bring the joint pin to the bottom of the slot in which it works; the hooked
projection on the free end of the tongue is thereby lifted from the flange with
which it was engaged, and the studs or projections on the other limb are
drawn out of the openings in the stem, and the hook can be turned aside and
the opening in the said hook exposed. The articles to be attached to the said
hook can then be placed thereon and the hook fastened to the stem in the
manner already explained. The fastening last described may also be used
for connecting chains to the dress in place of the ordinary swivel hook or
Albert bar.

page_text: My Invention consists, thirdly, of a fastening constructed in the following
manner: The fastening has an annular figure, the moveable part of the
fastening consisting of a ring, a portion of which is cut away to permit of the
articles being passed on to the said ring. The said ring works in a hollow
fixed piece forming the top of the fastening, the said top piece having a some-
what greater radius than the ring. By turning the ring the opening in it can
be, brought within the fixed top piece and the said opening thereby covered,
The ring is fastened to the top piece when the opening in the ring is covered
in the following manner:-Turning on the fixed top piece is a collar, in the
interior of which collar a hooked bolt or projection is fixed; the said collar is
capable of moving about a quadrant on the fixed top piece. On one of the
ends of the ring, and on the under, side thereof, is a projection or tooth.
When the collar carrying the hooked bolt is turned in one direction the
opening in the said collar is clear, and the ring can be passed into the fixed
top piece of the fastening. By now turning the collar into a position at right
angles to that first explained the hooked bolt carried by it engages with the
projection on the ring and prevents the ring being withdrawn from out the
fixed top piece. A stop on the opposite end of the ring to that described
works in a slot in the bottom of the top piece and prevents the ring being
wholly withdrawn from the said top piece. The rotary collar described carries
at top a small ring by which the fastening is secured to the chain. The
improvements described under this head of my Invention may also be applied
to key rings and rings for other similar purposes.
Having explained the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to describe,
with reference to the accompanying Drawing, the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents, in front and side elevation, a fastening constructed
according to the first part of my Invention. The said fastening consists of a
piece of wire bent into the form represented, that is to say, the wire is. first
bent into a bow or hook form, marked a, the part a² being moveable outwards
and forms an elastic tongue. To the said part a the chain of the watch,
locket, or other article is connected. The wire proceeding from the bow or
hook a is bent into a nearly circular figure b, the said part b being of greater
diameter than the said part a. The end 62 of the part b is bent inwards some-
what beyond the centre of the part b, as represented. The end of the elastic
tongue a rests nearly upon the summit of the part b². In connecting a
watch, locket, or other article to the fastening the pendant or ring of the
watch or locket is engaged with the turned-in end b2 of the circular lower
part b. The said pendant or ring is then passed over the summit of the part; b²

page_text: to the lower part b of the fastening, pushing back in its passage the elastic
tongue a²; the article is thereby securely connected to the fastening To
disconnect the 'article the ring or pendant of the locket or watch is passed
over the turned-in part b² to the elastic tongue a³, and "by pressing outward's
the said tongue the ring or pendant can be drawn from between its end and
the summit of the part b³, and the locket 'or watch removed.
Figure 2 represents a fastening of a somewhat different' figure 'from 'that
last described, but having the same action.
..
Figure 3 represents a modification of the fastening, Figures 1 and 2. In
this modification the ends of the wire are made to terminate at the bottom of
the fastening, the bottom parts c, d, forming elastic tongues, their inner sides
pressing against each other. In passing the article on to or removing it from
the fastening, Figure 3, the ring or pendant is passed between the parts "c,"d,
so as to separate them. When the ring or pendant has passed the parts c, d,
they again close upon each other into the position represented.
Figure 4 represents a ring for keys and for other similar articles; con-
structed according to my Invention. The elastic part e of the ring has a
projection at f, which bears against the fixed part of the ring. By pressing
the bow of the key between the part and the part g the elastic part e' is
made to open from the fixed part, when the key or other article can be placed
on or removed from the ring.
:
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent a fastening made according to the second
part of my Invention; Figure 5 representing a front elevation, Figure 6 a side
elevation, and Figure 8 a section of the fastening, the hook of the said fastening
being closed, and Figure. 7 represents a front elevation of the same, with the
hook opened ready to receive the pendant of the watch or other article. The
same letters indicate the same parts in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8. .
g is the hook of the fastening, turning on a joint h on the stem i, the upper
part of the said stem carrying the ring k, by which the fastening is connected
to the chain. The jointed part 2 of the hook works in a recess in the stem i,
and the pin h of the joint works in a slot in the said part g2, the said slot
permitting the hook to be placed in the position Figure 7, and also to have
motion nearly in the direction of the axis of the stem. The free end of the
hook is provided with a projection 1. On the jointed part of the hook, and on
either side thereof, are two studs or projections m, of the form represented,
and in the flange of the stem are recesses of a shape proper to receive the
said studs or projections m. When the hook g is in the position represented
n Figure 7 the opening in the hook is exposed, and the pendant or ring of
he watch or other article can be passed through the said opening on to the

page_text: said hook. By turning the hook g on its joint into the position represented in
Figures 5, 6, and 8 the studs or projections m enter the recesses in the
flange, and the hooked part at the same time engages with the opposite
side of the said flange, as best seen in the section. Figure 8. The opening in
the hook is thereby covered, and the said hook securely connected to the stem i.
In order to disconnect the hook g from the stem i the said hook is pressed
upwards in the direction of the axis of the stem, the slot h³ is thereby made to
move upon the joint pin. h, and the projections m, l, are withdrawn from the
recesses in the flange. The hook g can now be turned aside, as represented
in Figure 7, and the opening therein exposed.
The fastening, Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, is especially applicable for attaching
watches, lockets, and other articles to chains, but the said fastening may also
be used for connecting chains to the dress, in place of the ordinary swivel hook
or Albert bar.
Figures 9, 10, and 11 represent a fastening made according to the third
part of my Invention, Figures 9 and 11 representing an elevation and section
respectively of the fastening, the ring of the said fastening being closed and
secured in its place, and Figure 10 representing an. elevation with the ring
opened. Figures 12 and 13 represent parts of the said fastening. The same
The said
letters indicate the same parts in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.
fastening has the annular figure represented, and consists of a ring n, having
a portion cut away to permit of the articles being placed on or taken off the
said ring, the said ring being capable of sliding within a fixed hollow piece o
(shown separately in Figure 12) forming the top of the fastening. By
turning the ring,n, the opening n in it can be brought within the fixed piece o
When
so as to cover the said opening, as represented in Figures 9 and 11.
the ring has been passed into the part in the manner represented it is
secured in its place in the top piece in the following manner: Turning on
the top piece, o is a collar p (shown separately in Figure 13), having at its top
a small ring q, by which the fastening is secured to the chain. The collar p
In the interior of
is capable of turning about a quadrant on the top piece o.
the collar p is a slightly hooked or wedge-shaped bolt or projection r, working
in a slots (see Figure 12) in the top piece o. On the end of the ring n is a
When the collar p is in the position represented in
projection or tooth t.
Figures 9 and 11 the projection, or bolt 7 on the said collar is brought to the
bottom of the slots, and bears against the projection t on the end of the ring,
and prevents the said ring being withdrawn from the top piece o. When the
collar
is turned at right angles to the position represented, the bolt is
moved from behind the projection t, and the opening in the top piece o made
T

page_text: clear. The ring n can now be turned into the position represented in
Figure 10, and the article placed on or removed from the ring through the
opening n². The opposite end of the ring n to that carrying the projection {
has a similar projection u which acts as a stop, and prevents the ring n from
being wholly withdrawn from the fixed top piece o.
The improvements described and represented in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and
13 may also be applied to key rings and rings for other similar purposes.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
limit myself to the precise details herein-before described and illustrated
in the Drawing, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature
of my Invention; but I claim as my Invention,-.
Firstly, the improvements in fastenings for attaching watches, lockets,
articles of jewellery, and ornamental articles of dress, and other like articles to
chains, and in key rings and rings for other like purposes herein-before
described, and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying
Drawing.
Secondly, the improvements in fastenings for attaching watches, lockets,
articles of jewellery, and ornamental articles of dress, and other like articles to
chains, and for attaching chains to the dress, herein-before described, and
illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the accompanying Drawing.
Thirdly, the improvements in fastenings for attaching watches, lockets,
articles of jewellery, and ornamental articles of dress, and other like articles to
chains, and in key rings and rings for other like purposes, herein-before
described, and illustrated in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the accompanying
Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Reading, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
WILLIAM READING. (L.S.)