Improvements in and relating to Corset Clasps and Steels.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Corset Clasps and Steels.
I, ADOLPH RAU, of No. 18, Canalstrasse, Göppingen, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg,
and German Empire, Manufacturer, 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 :—
The object of my application for Letters Patent consists in improved corset clasps
or steels so constructed that any breaking thereof as well as the perforation of the
material is prevented. For this purpose the aforesaid clasps or steels are formed of
several springs a, b, c so held together that they can act independently one of another,
and can move separately when the wearer bends down and so forth. I effect this
result by attaching to the ends of the springs caps d provided at the one side with a
prolongation d. Referring to the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 shows my improved
cap in front view, Fig. 2 in back view and Fig. 3 in section, Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show the
arrangement of the steel or clasp and the position of the cap thereon. Figs. 7 and 8
show a modification. Referring to the pattern shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the part d
is firmly connected with the spring c by means of an eyelet e, which might however be
replaced by a peg or pin, whilst the two other springs a, b can move freely in the
cap d independently of the motion of the spring c. Referring to the modification
shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the eyelet is here also attached to the outer spring c, but it
passes through all three springs; in order however to give the requisite play to the
two springs a, b these latter are provided with slots a¹, b¹, so that when the wearer
of the corset bends, all the springs yield independently one of another. In this
manner the breaking of the springs is prevented, and owing to the fact that the
springs have their ends placed within the cap any perforation of the material is
prevented. The said springs may further be provided with clips f inside the cap, and
they may either be covered with material of any kind or be uncovered. The corset
clasps (whether curved clasps or straight clasps) as shown in the drawings as
constructed with three springs; it is however obvious that either two springs or more
than three springs might be made use of.
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 :-
The improved corset clasp or steel constructed of several superimposed springs,
characterized by having a cap such as d placed over the ends of the said springs, and
provided with a prolongation d, enabling the separate springs to have an independent
movement, the said cap being only rigidly secured to the end of one of the springs
such as c by means of an eyelet or pin e whilst the remaining springs are free to move
in the said cap, or are secured therein by means of a slot in which the eyelet or pin

page_text: slides, in such a manner that the breaking of the springs and perforation of the
material is obviated as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 4th day of February 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.