IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLDERS FOR OPERA GLASSES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult of the firm of WP Thompson
"
and Boult Agents for Foreign Patent Solicitors of 323 High. Holborn in
the County of Middlesex Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HOLDERS FOR OPERA GLASSES Communicated to him from abroad by
William Mack of Terre Haute in the County of Vigo and State of Indiana in
the United States of America
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alfred Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th November 1882.
"'
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of the firm of W P Thompson & Boult Agents for
Foreign Patent Solicitors of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLDERS FOR OPERA GLASSES Communicated to
me from abroad by William Mack of Terre Haute, in the county of Vigo and
State of Indiana in the United States of America.
The invention relates to a new means of holding opera glasses to the eyes of
persons using hem. Its object is to enable persons who use Opera glasses to hold
them by my improved handle to their eyes in such a manner as not to raise the
hand higher than the breast when using the glass or if desirable the arm may
rest on the arm of the chair by elongating the handle to the necessary length
A further object of the invention is to so construct the instrument that it will fit
the case of an opera-glass, or fold up in such a small compass that it may be readily
carried in the pocket. The difficulties heretofore experienced of holding opera
glasses to the eyes are well known. There are also other objections. For instance
when the arm or arms holding the glass are elevated, they not only tire the holder
but obstruct the view of persons sitting on a line in the rear resulting in incon-
venience to one self.and annoyance to others. It is also unpleasant for ladies on
account of their mode of dressing to raise their arms sufficiently to bring the hand

page_text: to the eye, as it generally disarranges their clothing to an uncomfortable extent.
It further consists in arranging the handle to such an angle that when the glass is
to be held to the eyes it will be horizontal therewith. In carrying out the
invention, I do not desire to be confined to simply a telescopic or folding handle,
as handles may be made of a single piece, or the clutch fastening may be
applied to a parasol or cane handle without departing from the principles of the
invention, as I desire to claim broadly holding an opera glass to the eyes by
means of a handle attached thereto. The construction and operation of the
invention will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
.
Figure 1 clearly shows the instrument applied to an opera glass, at such an angle
as to bring the glass to the eyes on a plane therewith Figure 2 shows an opera
glass case with the glass therein, part of the figure being broken away to more
clearly show the handle in a closed or folded position. The same letters denote
like parts in all the figures A is the opera glass and B the handle C is the opera
glass case a portion being broken away to more clearly illustrate the position of
the handle when folded and inserted in the case. The upper end of the handle as
seen at b forms a cylinder, in which I locate a piston and spring
The cylinder is provided on its face with a longitudinal slot for the reception
of a pin or projection which is fastened to the piston to retain the piston in
position.
To one end of the piston is secured a spiral or other spring, the other end of said
spring being secured to the end of the cylinder The office of this spring is to yield
sufficiently to permit the clutch or hook to clutch the transverse bar of the glass or
other object. On the other end of the piston I fasten a hook d which is adapted
to clutch one side of the transverse bar g while the other side is clutched by a
bifurcated slot or notch c The spring draws the hook across the notch, and
clutches between them the transverse bar of the opera glass which is thus held in
position. To detach or attach the handle to the transverse bar of the opera glass
which runs between the cylinders it is only necessary to pull the handle until the
bifurcated slot is off, then lower the hand, which motion will relieve the hook d.
The same motion to attach the handle only raising the hand when the two slots
will come together and clutch the bar. It is evident other forms of clutches and
fastenings may be made within wide scope as I do not wish to confine myself to
the fastening shown It is also obvious that the handle may be made of any
suitable material, and when made very delicate and of very fine material then it
becomes ornamental when the aesthetic effect is neat and pleasing. Having
described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is:
1st The combination of an opera glass with a detachable handle for holding said
glass to the eyes of the holder substantially as described.-2nd The combination of
an opera glass with a detachable handle, the handle being arranged at any suitable
angle that will adapt the glass to the position of the eyes when held in either hand
as shown and described.
3rd The combination of an opera glass with an adjustable handle the said
handle adapted to be elongated at will substantially as described. 4th The com-
bination with an opera glass A, handle B made in sections as described and arranged
to fold telescopically, the end section thereof being provided with a fastening device
or clutch in the manner shown and set forth.-5th The combination with an opera-
glass of the handle made in telescopic sections and adapted to close telescopically of
the end section forming a cylinder in which is placed a spring, piston and hook
all arranged to operate as set forth.-6th The combination with an opera-glass
of the handle made in sections and arranged to close telescopically the end
section being provided with clutching devices, and the section itself and its
end being provided with a bifurcated slot for the purpose set forth and described-

page_text: 7th As an article of manufacture an opera glass handle made in sections, and
provided at its end with clutching devices substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Julius Boult have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty eighth day of November in the year of our
Lord, One thousand Eight hundred and Eighty-two.
ALFRED J. BOULT
BOULI (L.B.)