other Head Coverings.
Year: 1885

page_text: other Head Coverings.
I, WILLIAM WATSON, of 33 Hayburn Crescent, Partick, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN GUARDS OR PROTECTIVE-FASTENINGS FOR HATS AND OTHER HEAD
COVERINGS, to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in guards or fastening-gear for
preventing hats, bonnets, helmets, caps or other head coverings from being carried
away beyond reach of the hands, by the force of the wind, or for keeping or
retaining them in position on the head. Instead of the cord, strap, band, or other
attachment hitherto made use of for this purpose, I place in a case or frame, a small
revolving barrel, or reel, bobbin or drum, to which I fix one end of a cord or band,
strap, ribbon, piece catgut or chain, to the other end of which is attached a hook,
or bar, ring, clasp, button, whistle, or small pencil, and I cause this cord to be
wound round the said barrel, by revolving the barrel by means of a spring placed
inside it, or by a spring placed in a separate receptacle and connected with it; or
by revolving the barrel by hand; or the said barrel or bobbin inay be fixed and the
cord can then be wound round it by hand. This combination of a barrel or reel,
together with the cord and its attachment I call the hat guard or protector, and it
can be fixed either in a permanent or temporary manner to different parts of the
outside or inside of a hat, by stitching it on with thread, or by means of barbs,
pins, or eyelets, or by a small screw pin and nut; or a felt hat may be made with
a special recess into which it can be placed, When it is fixed on the inside of a
hat, the cord can pass through a hole or eyelet to the outside. Instead of fixing
the guard on the hat it can be attached to the coat or dress. When the guard is
fixed to the hat, the fastening hook, bar or other attachment at the end of the cord
may be connected with one of the usual buttons or buttonholes of the dress; or to
a special eyelet, ring, hook, or button placed on the coat or dress for this purpose;
or the guard can be placed on one side of the hat, and a hook or button on the
other side, so that the cord or band may be placed under the chin, or round the
back of the head, and then be connected with the opposite side.
When the guard is attached to the coat or dress, a special eyelet, ring or hook
can be tixed to the hat, to which the end of the cord may be connected.

page_text: When the reaction of a spring is used for winding the cord on the barrel,
provision can also be made for fixing the cord at any required length to which it
may be, unwound, and for preventing the spring from winding up the cord till
desired, by means of a toothed rack with spring and ratchet, or other arrangement
suitable for this purpose, and communicating with a small stud or button placed
outside for manipulating it, The guard may also have an ornamental design,
monogram or small mariner's compass, placed on one side of it, or it may be so
modified or combined in form as to act also as a pencil case, watchkey or whistle,
or it may be made to form a bar or pendant to a watch chain. When modified to
fulfil any of these purposes, I do not fix it to the hat but by means of a hook,
catch or pin, I attach it in a temporary manner to a buttonhole, or other con-
venient part of the clothing; or, by a ring to a watch chain; and I alter its shape
by elongating the reel case or cover, to permit either a pencil case, watchkey, or
whistle, to be formed in, or placed at, one, or both ends of it, The cord or band
may also have a scale of parts printed on it, so that it can be likewise used as a
measure of length.
This guard or modifications of it, is also applicable for connecting together the
two sides of a coat or cloak and for attaching to eyeglasses muffs, and umbrellas.
Dated this 21st day of December 1884

page_text: Improvements in Guards or Protective-fastenings for Hats and
other Head Coverings.
I WILLIAM WATSON, 33 Hayburn Crescent, Partick, Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, Engineer, and Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN GUARDS OR PROTECTIVE-FASTENINGS, FOR HATS AND OTHER
HEAD COVERINGS, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in guards or fastening-gear for
preventing hats, bonnets, helmets, caps, or other head coverings from being carried
away beyond reach of the bands by the force of the wind, or for keeping or
retaining them in position on the head; said guards being useful and convenient
to most persons, and of especial utility to those who may often require to be in
exposed situations, as the military or volunteers, yachtsmen, riders, byciclists and
others.
Heretofore when a hat or other head covering has had an attachment for the
purpose of preventing it from being carried away by the wind, or for retaining it
on the head; it has been in the form of a cord furnished with a bar at the one end
for passing through an ordinary buttonhole in the dress; or an elastic cord, strap,
or band, for placing under the chin, the said cord when not in use being usually
tied round the hat or bonnet, or allowed to hang loose..
My improved invention or manufacture, of hat guards with their necessary
attachments and fastening-gear, consists in permanently fixing on, or temporarily,
attaching to the hat or other head covering, or to a convenient part of the coat or
dress, a small case or frame, containing a barrel, reel, bobbin or druin, on which is
wound either by a spring placed within it, or connected with it; or by hand; a
cord, or band, strap, ribbon, piece catgut, or small chain; or the said barrell or
chain may be fixed instead of revolving, and in this case the cord is wound round
it by hand; one end of this cord is fixed to the reel or bobbin, and to the other end
is attached a hook, or bar, ring, clasp, button, whistle or small pencil. This cord is
used for connecting the hat with part of the dress, and I call the combination of
this case or frame, with its barrel, reel, or bobbin, together with the cord and its
attachment the hat guard or protector, and its size and strength may be modified
or proportioned to suit the weight of the bat or other head covering, and its shape,
arrangement, and means or method of connection may also be modified to suit its
position on the hat or dress, or the manner of winding the cord on it.
placed on the hat it may be used for the purpose of preventing it from being carried
away, by unwinding the cord, and fastening the attachment at the end of it, to an
ordinary button or buttonhole; but a special eyelet, ring, hook, or button, can be
placed on any convenient part of the dress, but preferably, near, or; under the same
side of the collar of the coat to which it may be fastened; when the guard is placed
on the dress and used for this purpose, I also prefer to place it near, or under the
collar of the coat on one side, and on the same side of the hat, I fix a special eyelet,
ring, or hook, to which the cord when unwound is attached. When the guard is
used for the purpose of keeping or retaining the hat on the head, it may be fixed
on one side of the hat, then (a guard with stop action being used) the cord can he
unwound the exact length to pass under the chin and reach the other side of the
When

page_text: hat, where it may be fastened to a special book, eyelet or ring placed on the hat
for this purpose; or the cord can be brought down and passed over or through a
special ring, hook or button, placed under the coat collar on the same side, and then
carried round the back, and passed over or through a similar hook, ring, or button
under the coat collar on the opposite side, and from there to the eyelet on the same
side of the hat where it may be fastened, the hat is thus attached to the cord at
two places, but it may be connected at three by passing it through another hook or
eyelet at the back of the hat; the guard may also be placed on a convenient part
of the dress and used for this purpose, when I prefer, also to place it near or under
the coat collar on one side, from there the cord is passed over or through a hook or
ring near the back of the coat collar, then through a hook or ring on the other side
of the hat, and from there down to a similar hook or ring on the same side of the
coat collar where it is attached; or the cord may first be passed through a hook or
eyelet on the same side of the hat, carried right over the top of the hat, passed
through the hook or eyelet on the opposite side, and then attached to another hook
or eyelet on the coat, The guard can be fixed to any convenient or suitable part
of the outside or inside of the hat by stitching it on with thread, or by means of
barbs, pins, eyelets, or screwpins and nuts; and a felt hat may be made with a
special recess in the brim, bulging either downwards or upwards, or in the body of
the hat, projecting preferably outwards, in which more especially the form of guard
containing a spring for winding the cord may be placed; when the guard is either
fixed on the inside of the hat, or in a recess made to receive it, an eyeletted hole
can be made through the material of the hat, opposite the hole in the guard case,
to permit the cord to pass through, To permanently fix the guard on a felt or
dress hat, it is best placed at the time the hat is manufactured as a flat seat can be
made for it; and the ends of the pins or rivets fixing it on a dress hat, can be
covered with the silk if desired. In felt or dress hats I prefer to place it on the
top of the brim at one of the sides or back.
The guard case and barrel can be made of any suitable sheet metal, I prefer
tough sheet brass or aluminium bronze, and the spiral spring can be made of thin
spring brass or steel. The case may be finished by being japanned or lacquered
any colour; or by being electroplated; or it may be ornamented with a design by
any of the ordinary processes, of stamping, embossing, chasing, engraving, or engine
turning, said design may be a monogram; or it can be covered with any kind of
cloth, which may preferably be of a colour or pattern, to match the hat or coat on
which it is fixed.
The cord band or ribbon may be of any colour or pattern desired, or it may have
a scale of parts printed on it, so that it can likewise be used as a measure of length.
In all cases, I prefer when a spring is used for winding, to fix the central pin in the
case, and make the reaction or impulse of the spring turn the reel or bobbin; I also
proportion the length and reaction of the spring, to suit the length of the cord it
has to wind; the cord can be made of any suitable length but must be proportioned
in length and thickness, to the size of the barrel or bobbin it has to be wound upon;
if the end of it is attached direct from the hat to a special hook or button, on the
collar of the coat, it need not be any longer than 10 or 12 inches. The special
hooks or eylets on the hat or coat collar, are also applicable for being connected or
fastened to a cord of any kind without a bobbin or reel. A small form of this
guard, one wound by a spring preferably is also applicable for connecting the two
sides of a coat or cloak; or to attach to eyeglasses for the purpose of hanging them
from the dress; or for slinging muffs and umbrellas; or for winding about
umbrellas to keep them closed.
To illustrate and explain my invention, and in order that it may be more fully
understood, I annex a sheet of drawings which I will now proceed to describe. The
figures and letters of reference appropriated to any one design, mark the same parts
in the different drawings of that particular design.
Fig. 1. is a hat guard with spring for winding, it is shewn in vertical central
section, side elevation and plan, à a is the case, bb the barrel, in which the spiral

page_text: spring is placed, the one end of it being fixed to the axlepin, and its other end to
the barrel, on the outside of which the cord is wound, d d are the pins for fixing,
e is a ring at the end of the cord for attaching it.
Fig. 2 shows a modified plan of placing the spring and cord, a a is the case,
b. b. the barrel, c the central stud d d fixing pins, f. f. compartment for cord, g g. do
for spring, e hook at the end of the cord.
Fig. 3 is a side view of a similar arrangement covered with cloth; which is
bound in round the bottom, by binding the edge of the bottom over the edge of
the top, and at the cord hole by an eyelet, d. is a pin for fastening it.
Fig. 4. is a side view of another arrangement of the same kind but with the
case for containing the cord made open.
Fig. 5 is a similar internal arrangement, modified slightly by a compass placed
on the top a. a., and three projecting snugs with holes for fixing it.
Fig. 6. has a spring for winding it with a stop action for the spring, a a is the
case, bb the barrel, on the top of which is fixed the small ratchet wheel, the ratchet
is pinned on the case cover, and is shewn through in dotted lines in the plan, it is a
small lever with a spring formed on it, to press against the inside of the case, its
end is bent to project through a hole in the cover, and has a small round head
fastened on it; to raise the ratchet out of the wheel, the round head is pushed
towards the centre of the case; when the ratchet and wheel are fixed on the barrel
one way they permit the cord to be wound, but will not allow it to be unwound,
unless the ratchet is kept raised, if they are placed on in the reverse manner, the
cord still winding the same way as before, it will allow the cord to be unwound,
but it prevents it from being wound till the ratchet is raised.
Fig. 7 is a plan of a similar arrangement, varied by the pressing button being
placed at the side.
Fig. 8. has similar internal winding arrangement, but has the ratchet teeth on
the interior of a ring h. h. fixed on the top of the barrel b. b. and the ratchet i slides
in a short tube placed on the top of the case, and presses against a small helical
spring at the end of it, e is a bar at the end of the cord, which being the same circle
as the barrel case goes close into the side of it.
Fig. 9 is another arrangement of a spring case, a a is the case, b. b. the barrel,
f. f. compartment for cord, g. do for spring, the ratchet teeth are formed round the
edge of barrel top, and the ratchet lever is pinned through the side of case in the
cord compartment; it has a pin on the end of it communicating through a small
vertical slot with the presser outside.
Fig. 10 shows another arrangement of ratchet lever, with its fulcrum a pin, fixed
through a tube k. k. placed across the top of the case, the ratchet wheel is a ring on
the top of the barrel, and there is a slot made in the case cover to permit the end
of the ratchet lever to enter the teeth on ring.
Fig. 11 shews a small reel for hand winding.
Fig. 12 shews another modified arrangement for hand winding the bobbins being
wound by turning round the cover a. a. and fixed at any length wanted by the
screwnut l, e is a special holdfast pin at the end of the cord.
Fig. 13 is another plan for this purpose, the knob shewn winding the axlepin
which forms the reel, it has a curved flange to permit it to be placed on the side of
the brim of a curved hat.
Fig. 14, is section and side view of a fixed bobbin with a cover, the cover slides
up to permit the cord to be wound, when it may be put down, and the cord placed
in the vertical slot b.
Fig. 15 is an elevation & plan of another small fixed, open bobbin, with holes in
its sole for stitching or fastening it on.
Fig. 16, shews a plan and section of a reel combined with a pencil, the section is
through a. b. as marked on the plan, c. c is the cord case, d is a small spindie with
one end fixed in the knob e. and is the reel for the thread or cord, the knob e is the
winder, the other end of the spindle revolves in a sliding washer f. which is pinned
to an outside ring, the case has a slot running to the end for the cord, and in which

page_text: also the pin travels, by unscrewing the cap h. the cord and spindle may be pulled
out and wound, i is the pencil case connected by a pin to another sliding ring 1.
Fig. 17. shews a section of the reel combined with a watch key; a a is the case,
b is the hand winder to which is fixed one end of the reel spindle c. its other end
being fixed into and revolving in a washer d; the case has a slot for the cord, the
spindle can be drawn out, and the cord gradually wound on it as is pressed in;
e. e. is the watch key which is made expanding to take in different sizes of pins. f is
a steel point divided into two or four sections, its back part y forms a spring and
is set to expand when not prevented by the case, its end is squared and fastened
firmly in to a round washer . on the outside of the case is placed a revolving ring i
between two small fixed rings j. j., the inner surface of the revolving ring i has a
screw slot cut in it, which admits the end of a pin fastened in the washer h, and
passing through a small slot in the case; by turning the ring i, the spring point f
forming the watch key is either drawn into the case when by pressing on the end
of the case it becomes close, or it is expelled when its spring expands it.
Fig. 18 shews a section of a spring reel combined with a whistle, a a is the case,
b. b. the barrel; f the compartment for cord; g. do for spring; d. d. the axlepin,
c the ring for attaching it; h the whistle.
Fig. 19. shews the section of the reel or guard arranged as a bar for a watch
chain, a. a. is the case, b is the spindle or reel which is also a fine threaded screw,
c is a nut which works on the screw, and has an arin which projects through a slot
in the case, and it has also a hole through its arm at d, through which the cord
passes, e is the small wheel for turning the spindle; as the unwinding of the cord
turns the spindle, the nut c with the cord passing through it at d. is screwed up to
the end of the case, at which end the cord is fastened, when by turning the
winding wheel e. at the other end of the case, the cord is regularly wound into the
case by being carried in the arm of the nut, c, as it gradually travels to the
other end.
Fig. 20 shews one of my novel methods of retaining the hat on the head.
Fig. 21 shews an application of the guard to a ladies bonnet.
Figs 22. 23. 24 & 25, shew buttons and hooks of different kinds, for attaching the
guard cord to hat or dress.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The application and use of a reel or bobbin and cord for the purpose of
guarding a hat, bonnet or other head covering, substantially as described.
Second. Fixing a barrel, reel, bobbin or drum; with a cord, or band, strap or
ribbon, piece catgut or small chain attached to a hat or other head covering or to a
part of the dress, for the purpose of preventing the hat or head covering from being
carried away by the wind, or for the purpose of retaining or fixing it on the head,
substantially as herein described.
Third. The various arrangements or modifications of hat guards and their
fastening gear or attachments, substantially as shewn and described and for the
purpose specified.
Fourth. The method of making or finishing the hat guard in the manners
shewn and described.
Fifth. The combined arrangement of the hat guard, with the other specified
articles, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Dated the 29th day of Sentember 1885.