AN IMPROVEMENT IN SPRINGS FOR GLOVES, SHOES, OR SLIPPERS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Unwin, of Sheffield, in the County of York, for
the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN SPRINGS FOR GLOVES, SHOES, OR
SLIPPERS."
Sealed the 3rd July 1877, and dated the 13th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Unwin at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th January 1877.
JOHN UNWIN, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
SPRINGS FOR GLOVES, SHOES, OR SLIPPERS."
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN
This Invention which relates to an improved construction of springs used in
gloves, shoes, or slippers is designed to render the springs capable of being more
securely fastened in the articles to which they are applied and thereby prevent
them from quickly working loose and cutting and spoiling the articles as they do
according to the present construction.
This description of spring as hitherto made consists of a pair of legs connected
or combined with a small head plate at one end and working in combination with a
flat spring, the other end of each leg being formed with one hole, by which latter
means only the complete spring was fastened in the glove, shoe, or other article.
This fastening has proved very insufficient and allowed of the spring working loose
very quickly and spoiling the article, and the spring as thus constructed has been
found to be comparatively useless, especially for adaptation to gloves.
The especial object of this Invention is to obviate this liability of the spring to
become or wear loose and cut or injure the article, and this object I effectually
attain by rounding the usual sharp inner end of the spring leg and by forming the
legs of a spring with a series of holes at different parts of their length by drilling,
boring, or otherwise, and also by drilling, boring, or otherwise forming one or more
holes at the junction of the legs with the said head plate. This improved construc-
tion allows of the fastening of the complete spring in the glove or other article
being rendered much more secure, as instead of being simply sewn in the glove (as
a strip of whalebone in a corset), as hitherto fastened, threads or wire may be
passed through the series of holes in the legs and head, and through adjacent or
contiguous parts of the articles to which the springs are being applied, and thus by
Union CJ1

page_text: securing the spring in position at many parts the objects and advantages required
are attained without requiring any radical alteration in the formation of the spring,
to existing specimens of which the Invention can be most easily adapted.
The springs are especially applicable to gloves, shoes, slippers, and other like
articles. In gloves they are fastened by threads and sewn in the usual opening in
the palm of the hand, and are used instead of buttons, laces, or other like usual
fastenings. In shoes or boots, or in slippers, they can be used either in the front or
at the sides in lieu of the usual elastics, buttons, laces, or other like usual fastenings,
the springs being fastened by threads or wires, and being also sewn in the article.
When the article is required to be worn the legs of the spring are distended and
thereby opened, which allows of the article being then drawn on, and when on, the
legs are simply moved or pressed together to secure the articles in place.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Unwin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th July 1877.
JOHN UNWIN, of Sheffield, in the County of York. "AN IMPROVEMENT IN 1
SPRINGS FOR GLOVES, SHOES, OR SLIPPERS."
This Invention which relates to an improved construction of springs adapted to
be used in gloves, shoes, or slippers is designed to render the springs capable of being
more securely fastened in the articles to which they are applied, and to prevent
them from quickly working loose and cutting and spoiling the articles as they do
according to the present construction of such spring.
This description of spring as hitherto made consists of a pair of legs connected to
or combined with a small head plate at one end, and working in combination with
a flat spring, the other end of each leg having been formed with one hole, by which
means only the complete spring was fastened in the glove, shoe, or other article.
This fastening has proved very insufficient, and it allowed of the spring working
loose very quickly and spoiling the glove or other article, and the spring as thus
constructed has been found to be comparatively useless, especially in its adaptation
to gloves.
The especial object of this Invention is to obviate this liability of the spring to
become or wear loose and to cut or injure the glove or other article, and this object
I effectually attain by rounding the usual sharp inner end of the leg 1 at 2, as
shewn on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and by forming the legs 1, 3, of the
spring with a series of holes 4 at different parts of their lengths by drilling, boring,
or otherwise, and also by drilling, boring, or otherwise forming one or more holes 5
at the junction of the legs 1, 3, with the said head plate 6. This improved construc-
tion or formation allows of the fastening of the complete spring in the glove or
other article being rendered much more secure, as instead of being simply sewn in
a glove, for example (as a strip of whalebone in a corset), as hitherto fastened,
threads or wires may be passed through the holes 4 and 5 and through adjacent or
contiguous parts of the articles to which the springs are being applied, and thus by
securing the spring in position at many parts the objects and advantages required
are attained without requiring any radical alteration in the formation of the spring,
to existing specimens of which the Invention can be most easily applied. 7 repre-
sents the usual rivets by which the parts of the spring are held together, and 8 the
usual holes in the ends of the legs.
The springs are especially applicable to gloves, shoes, slippers, and other like
articles. In gloves they are fastened by threads and sewn in the usual opening in
the palm part, and are used instead of buttons, laces, or other like usual fastenings.
In shoes, boots, and slippers they can be used either in the front or at the sides in
lieu of the usual elastics, buttons, laces, or other like usual fastenings, the springs
being fastened in position in the article by threads or wires, and by being sewn.

page_text: When the article is required to be worn the legs of the spring are distended and
thereby opened, which allows of the glove or other article being then drawn on,
and when on, the said legs are simply pressed together to secure the glove or other
article in its proper place on the wearer.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that I do not claim the spring itself,
which is old, as I have made and sold it ever since the Twelfth day of February,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six; but what I do claim as my present
Invention is, the improvements and special alterations in springs of the above des-
cribed construction, such springs having the rounded part 2 and the additional holes
4 in the legs, and the hole or holes 5 in the end or head of the spring, substantially
as and for the purposes above described, and as illustrated on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Unwin, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
JOHN UNWIN. (L.S.)