AN IMPROVED HAIR PIN
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Eastman, of Southsea, in the County of
Hants, Tutor, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED HAIR PIN."
Scaled the 2nd October 1874, and dated the 10th April 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Eastman at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 10th April 1874.
I, THOMAS EASTMAN, of Southsca, in the County of Hants, Tutor,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
HAIR PIN," to be as follows:
The object of this Invention is to make hair pins so that they shall
act more effectually as a clip, and hold and retain the hair much more
firmly and be much less liable to fall therefrom than the hair pins as
hitherto made.
In making hair pins according to this Invention I form the bend or
junction of the prongs or legs of the pin. of a strong spring, and from
this part I continue the prongs or legs in an outward are or curved form

page_text: or direction, the extreme ends or points being caused to approach nearly
together by the spring bend.
The prongs or legs of the hair pin are made much more rigidly than
usual of wire of an excentric or slightly flattened circular cross section,
and with the ordinary pointed ends or extremities.
At about the middle or other suitable distance from its end cach
prong or leg is formed with an enlarged projecting part, which is so
shaped as to offer its greatest resistance when being withdrawn from the
hair or to more effectually prevent the hair pin from withdrawing
itself.
When being placed in the hair the prongs or legs are opened to a
small degree, and afterwards acting as a clip they hold and retain the
hair as desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Eastman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 9th October 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
EASTMAN, of Southsea, in the County of Hants, Tutor, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Eastman, Her special licence
that I, the said Thomas Eastman, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Eastman, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED HAIR PIN," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Eastman, my exc-
cutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to

page_text: be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Eastman, do hereby declare
the nature of my said 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 this Invention is to make hair pins so that they shall
act more effectually as a clip, and hold and retain the hair much more
firmly and be much less liable to fall therefrom than the hair pins as
hitherto made.
In making hair pins according to this Invention I form the bend or
junction of the prongs or legs of the pin of a strong spring, and from
this part I continue the prongs or legs in an outward are or concave or
curved form or direction, the extreme ends or points being caused to
approach nearly together by the spring bend.
The prongs or legs of the hair pin are made much more rigidly than
usual of wire of an eccentric or slightly flattened circular cross section
and with the necessary pointed ends or extremities.
At a distance from the points equal to about two-fifths of the length
of the pin the prongs or legs are enlarged (the enlarged portion being
also turned towards each other) which enlarged portion is so shaped as
to offer its greatest resistance when being withdrawn from the hair or
to more effectually prevent the hair pin from withdrawing itself.
When being placed in the hair the prongs or legs are opened to a
small degree, and afterwards acting as a clip they hold and retain the
hair as desired.
The whole is made of material (metal, iron or steel wire) sufficiently
rigid or strong to ensure the preservation of the form of the pin when
) in constant use, and also to make the spring by which the two prongs
are connected of sufficient strength to cause the two extremities of the
prongs always tend to come together.
In some instances the enlarged part of the prongs could, if desired,

page_text: hair pin, thus the enlarged parts a may, as before stated, be dispensed
with if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and
object of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed or put in practice, I hereby declare that I claim the hercin
described Invention of "An Improved Hair Pin," as the same is herein
set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Eastman, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September, in the 1
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
.
Witness,
W. J. EASTMAN,
R. N. College,
Greenwich.
THOMAS EASTMAN. (L.S.).