Improvements in Shoe Lace Fasteners.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Shoe Lace Fasteners.
I MARY ELLA JOHNSON Gentlewoman, residing at Greenwich, Washington
Co., New York, U.S.A. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improvement in shoe lace fasteners; the object of
the invention being to provide an article of this character which is adaptable for
attachment to the bow of a shoe lace when the same is tied to prevent the
accidental untying of the lace. The device is inexpensive, simple in construction
and durable.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the
annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having my improved device attached to
the lace thereof and
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device itself shown on an enlarged scale.
In the practice of my iuvention, I provide a metallic box A, which said box is
provided with upwardly extended end walls a and a'. These said walls are
formed integrally with a flat base a³, and the structure is preferably composed of
non-resilient metal.
Projecting from the surface of the front wall a¹ is a lug a³, adapted for locking
the device as will be hereinafter described.
Hinged to the rear wall a is a plate B which is composed of resilient sheet
metal. This said plate is provided with forwardly extended side tongues b and an
end wall 6', said end wall having a recess 6 therein for engagement with the
lug a3 of the box A.
The outer edges of the tongues b are turned up to form beads 63 adapted for
engagement with the ends of a shoe lace, whereby said lace will not be cut or
injured, and the wall 6 of the said plate B is provided with an outwardly turned
projection which acts as a handle in operating the device.
In attaching the device to a shoe, the box or plate A may be passed under the
ends of the shoe lace C before said lace is tied and after it is tied, the lid or plate B
will be clamped down upon the bow thus formed, the ends c and loops c¹ thereof
being tightly clamped against the side edges of the plate A, and the wall 61 of the
said lid being in tight engagement with the wall a' of the plate A, whereby the bow
cannot accidentally become untied. When it is desired to release the same, it is
only necessary to force the spring wall d' outwardly until its socket is released
from the lug a³.
If it is desired to attach the device to the shoe lace after the same has been tied,
it will be simply necessary to collect all of the ends and loops of the bow together
and extend them to one side and lay them over the upper surface of the plate A,
whereby when the lid B is clamped down into engagement with the plate A, all
of the said ends of the lace will be clamped tightly against the plate A.
I do not confine myself to the specific details of mechanical structure as herein
described above, as it is obvious that under the scope of my invention, I am entitled
to slight variations of detail.

page_text: 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:-
1. A shoe lace fastener comprising a non-resilient lower plate and a resilient
upper plate having tongues formed integrally therewith adapted for engaging the
sides of the said lower plate, and means for fastening the two plates together and
locking them to each other, substantially as shown and described.
2. In a shoe lace fastener, the combination of a lower plate of non-resilient metal
having rear and front walls extended at right angles respectively from its front
and rear edges, and an upper plate of resilient metal which has tongues projected
from its two side edges and a wall projected from its outer edge, said plate being
hinged to the rear wall of the said lower plate, and a locking device for
maintaining the two parts in engagement with each other, substantially as shown
and described.
Dated this 10th day of August 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.