An Improved Fastener for Hats and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1898-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1898
An Improved Fastener for Hats and the like.
We, JOHN WRIGHT, Farmer, and JOHN WILLIAM MITCHELL, Machinist, both of
2, Commercial Chambers, Manse Street, Dunedin, New Zealand, 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 fasteners used for securing hats, bonnets, and the like
upon the head of the wearer and the object of the invention is to provide a fastener
which may be ornamental and by which a hat or the like may be effectually secured
without damaging the same.
The usual manner at present in vogue for fastening hats is to pass a long pin or
pins through any suitable raised part of the hat and through the hair of the wearer.
Such pins catch a small quantity of the hair only, but by my invention a considerable
quantity of hair is caught and utilized, with the result that a better hold is obtained
for securing the hat.
The invention is carried into effect in the case of a hat by attaching combs to
the ends of wires passed through the sides of the hat. The combs are drawn
together by means of springs made preferably of elastic webbing, india rubber or the
like.
A frame or loops connect the springs to the hat to hold the same down upon the
head.
The outer ends of the wire may be provided with any suitable ornaments, such as
knobs, monograms, or the like.
In attaching a hat, the wires with their combs are withdrawn sufficiently to separate
the combs, the wires are then elevated in order to depress the combs, when the teeth
will enter the hair and hold the hat down to the head of the wearer upon the wires
being released.
In order that our invention may be most easily understood reference will be
made to the accompanying drawing, on which :-
Figure 1 is a view of the interior of a hat fitted with the invention and showing the
combs closed.
Figure 2 is a similar view with the combs open.
Figure 3 is a section along line A-B, Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a cross section of a comb on an enlarged scale.
Figure 5 is a view of the back of the same.
Figure 6 is a view of another form of frame.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.
The wires (a) pass through the sides of the hat and have knobs (a¹), their inner
ends being screw threaded at (a2). Combs (b) are mounted upon the wires (a2), the
bosses (61) secured to the back of the combs being pierced and screw threaded to
receive the wires (a²). The combs are thus adjustable upon the wires and their
distance apart may be regulated to allow the teeth to overlap more or less, see
Figure 1. A frame (c) is attached to the interior of the hat by sewing (c¹) or
otherwise and has loops (c2) in cross bars (3) to which one end of springs (c) of elastic
are secured. The other ends of the springs are attached to the combs,

page_text: To secure the hat the knobs (a¹) are pulled out and the combs separated to
the position shewn by Figures 2 and 3. The hat is then placed upon the head of the
wearer and the knobs gently released and allowed to grip into the hair and thus secure
the hat.
The drawings show a cheap and light form of frame which may be readily secured
within a hat, but obvious modifications of the different parts will suggest themselves
to a skilled person. Such modifications we consider are comprised within the ambit
of our invention as for example the frame (c) may be made as shown without its
combs on Figure VI, where the sides (c5 & 6) slide one within loops formed upon the
other and have a spring (c) in tension passed through the loops (c³). The ends (c)
of the sides are bent as shown and pointed at (c10). This form of frame is sprung
into the hat where it is held securely by the spring (c7). Or the combs may have
any suitable form which will effectually grip a quantity of hair to securely hold the
hat or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In combination with a hat combs to grip the hair of the wearer springs operating
the combs and knobs and wires for withdrawing the combs, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth herein.
2. In combination with a hat combs to grip the hair of the wearer springs
operating the combs a frame for securely holding the whole within the hat and knobs
and wires for withdrawing the combs, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth herein.
3. In combination with a hat combs to grip the hair of the wearer springs
operating the combs and knobs and wires haying means for adjusting the combs,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
4. In a fastener for hats and the like means for gripping the hair of the wearer
springs for operating and knobs and wires for withdrawing the same, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth herein.
5. The improved fastener for hats and the like comprising parts constructed
arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
ted this fun day of July 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.