Improved Trouser Clip for Cyclists.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 18:6-Accepted, 7th Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Trouser Clip for Cyclists.
J, JOHN ELDRIDGE NORWOOD, of 21 South Howard Street, in the City of Baltimore,
and State of Maryland, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved guard for trousers for use of bicyclers. The
object of the device is to hold the lower part of the pants legs closely wrapped or
folded about the ankle, the guard being in a position where it will be unseen.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of the device.
Figure 2 is a top edge view of same.
Figure 3 is a view of the top cross-bar.
Figure 4 is a view of a foot and pants leg with the guard or clasp attached to
the folded pants.
Figure 5 is a diagram or section showing the position of the downward bars
and clamp bars of the guard in the folds of the pants.
The guard or clasp is formed of wire and has a frame which is nearly rectangular
in side view; the top cross-bar, a, of the frame has at the center a lateral offsetting
bend, b, and the two upper corners, c, of the frame are curved or turned forward;
connected with each top corner is a downward bar, d, which has a lower corner
hend, d, from which a bottom cross-bar, e, extends to the middle; at the middle
are two straight parallel upward-projecting clamp-bars, f, which normally are in
contact, and the upper ends of these clamp-bars bear in or press against the said
offsetting bend, b, in the top cross-bar. The extremities, f, of the clamp bars, f,
spread apart V-shape and thereby facilitate entrance up the pants leg.
The application of this device to the pants leg is shown in the drawing; the
leg of the pants is to be folded inwardly, so as to produce an interior loop-space, h,
and two exterior lappel-folds, g, g, the edges, 9', of which are brought together
and abut, as shown. The said two abutting fold-edges, g', are clamped by the two
straight parallel bars, f; the top cross-bar, a, has position in the interior loop-
space, h, formed by the lappel-folds; and the two short bottom cross-bars, e, come at
the lower edge of the pants leg. It will be seen the clamp-action is two fold;
first, the clamp action of the two straight parallel bars, f, pressing the abutting
fold-edges, g', of the pants between them; and second, the gripping action of the
upper part of both of said bars, f, and the top cross-bar, a, on one thickness of the
two lappel-folds, g, g, between them. This last named "one thickness" is gripped in
the offsetting bend, b. It will also be seen the two forwardly curved corners, c,
press the goods outwardly having a sort of claw-action, while the two parallel
bars, f, between said curved corners press the goods inwardly, consequently the friction
thus induced without injuring the goods serves to give the device a grip on the
goods that prevents the device from slipping down and off the pants.
Constructed as this device is, of one piece of wire, and applied as here shown, it
makes a neat and convenient appliance for pants legs, and holds the latter closely
wrapped or folded about the ankle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A guard or clamp for trousers legs, comprising a wire device having a top

page_text: cross-bar, a, provided with an offsetting bend at the center; two downward bars, d,
each bent at its lower part to form a short bottom cross-bar, e, two closely-adjoining
parallel upward-projecting bars, f, whose upper ends press into said offsetting bend
on the top cross-bar-and the two upper corners, c, at said top cross-bar being bent
forward.
2. A guard or clamp for trousers legs, comprising a wire frame nearly rectangular
having a top cross-bar; two straight, downward side bars, d; a short bottom cross-
bar, e, attached to each downward bar, and at the middle two straight closely-
adjoining parallel upward-projecting bars, f, whereby the said two side bars may
take position in an interior loop-space on the pants leg while the said parallel
bars clamp the edges of two exterior lappel-folds of the pants leg.
Dated this 27th day of August 1896.
JOHN ELDRIDGE NORWOOD.