IMPROVEMENTS IN SNAP HOOKS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SNAP HOOKS."-A communication from abroad by
Francis C. Nye, of New York, in the United States of America
PROVISIÓNAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 2nd March 1875.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SNAP HOOKS," a communication to me
from abroad by Francis C. Nye, of New York, in the United States of
America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, first, to an improved snap hook which is made
of one piece of wire or other flexible and elastic material, and composed
of the loop, sides, and two hooks, and has the plane of the loop the same
as that of the hooks, and about at right angles with the plane of the
A

page_text: sides. Each arm of the snap hook between the loop and the hooks has a
convex bend, one above and the other below the horizontal plane of the
loop, thus forming a swell in the sides of the snap hook. The loop is
made of a square, round, bow shaped, oval, or other desired form, and
the hooks are made so as to lock the arms together, where they arc
crossed after forming the swell or in the reverse manner, with or with-
out a crossing in the arms between the swell and the hooks. The hooks
are formed in such position that the close part of each hook covers the
open part of the other, and thus the two hooks make a close eye. The
arms between the loop and the swell are locked together or not crossed,
thus leaving an opening between the loop and the swell. And this
improved snap hook may be formed with the arms locked together
between the loop and swell, and simply crossed between the swell and
the hooks, or without any crossing between the swell and the hooks, and
it may be formed with the arms locked together or simply crossed
between the swell and the hooks, and not crossed between the loop and
swell, or without crossing the arms on either side of the swell. The
arms in the swell may stand respectively in such positions relatively to
the plane of the swell, which is at right angles to the plane of the loop,
and passes through the crossing or opening in the snap hook between
the loop and the swell, that each arm is kept wholly on the same side of
such plane of the swell, or each arm may be on one side of such plane
near the loop, and on the other side near the hooks. The upper convex
bend of the swell is formed in the same arm as the lower hook, and the
lower convex bend in the same arm as the upper hook, and when the
arms are not locked together between the loop and the swell, each bend
And in this improved snap
of the swell may be formed in either arm.
hook when formed with the arms locked together between the Joop and
the swell, the arm have the same relative positions to each other in the
hooks as where they cross between the loop and the swell, and thence
snap hook
that arm in which the upper hook is formed (looking at the
with the plane of the loop, and hooks horizontal) is above the other arm
at the crossing between the loop and the swell and is bent downwards at
the swell, and conversely the arm in which the lower hook is formed is
below the other arm at the same crossing, and is bent upwards at the
swell. Accordingly in this form of the snap hook by compressing the
sides of the swell, the arms are opened where they cross between
the loop and the swell as well as the hooks. And the arms may be
locked together between the loop and the swell by passing either arm

page_text: of the loop (as it stands horizontal) above or below the other. When
this snap hook is formed with each arm wholly on the same side of the
plane of the swell as above mentioned, a ring or other article may be
passed between the hooks as well as the arms, where they are locked
together on one or both sides of the swell and thus attached to the
loop, leaving the hooks ready to be snapped on another ring or other
article, and in this way two links of a chain may be connected together
by this snap hook. The hooks in the snap hook formed with each arm
on opposite sides of such plane near where they are locked together,
between the loop and the swell and near the hooks cannot be displaced
in use, as each hook is prevented from being forced out of place to one
side by the locking together of the arms between the loop and the swell,
and in such snap hook where the arms are locked together or simply
crossed between the swell and the hooks, but not between the loop and
the swell, the formation of the bends in the arms from the loop to the
hooks offers resistance to such displacement of either hook, sufficient to
prevent the same in actual use.
This Invention, secondly, relates in general to snap hooks made of one
piece of wire or other flexible and elastic material, composed of loop,
swell, and two hooks or close eye, and opening and closing by the elasticity
or resiliency of the material. It is proposed to make these snap hooks
with the arms crossed or locked together between the loop and swell as
well as between the swell and hooks. Each arm may be passed across
the other in locking the arms together or simply crossing them.
Assuming as an example snap hooks having the loop and swell in about
the same plane and the hooks or eyes in a plane about at right angles
thereto, and viewing these snap hooks with the loop horizontal, either
arm may be passed over or under the other in crossing the arms next
after forming the loop; and where the arms are crossed without locking
them together between the loop and swell that arm which passes over
the other next to the loop is passed under the other in crossing the arms
or locking them together between the swell and hooks; and that arm
which passes under the other next to the loop is passed over the other.
between the swell and the hooks. The arms are locked together between
the loop and swell by first passing either arm over or under and across
the other, and then passing that arm which has been crossed above the
other under and across it, and that arm which has been passed below the
other over and across it. The swell is composed of an outward bend in

page_text: each arm, and where the arms are locked together between the loop and
swell the right-hand portions both of the loop and swell are formed in
one and the same arm, the left-hand portions of the loop and swell being
formed in the other arm; while in those snap hooks which have the
arms simply crossed between the loop and swell the right-hand portion
of the loop and the left-hand portion of the swell are formed in one arm,
and the left-hand portion of the loop and the right-hand portion of the
swell are formed in the other arm. In crossing the arms or locking
them together between the swell and hooks either arm may be passed
over or under the other in those snap hooks which have the arms locked
together between the loop and swell. In making the improved snap
hooks it is preferred to mill or dress off the ends of the piece of wire to a
round, tapering, or other desired form after it is cut off and before
bending and forming it into a snap hook.
This Invention, thirdly, rclates in general to snap hooks made wholly
of one piece of wire or other flexible and elastic material, and composed,
of loop, swell, and close eye, and it consists in forming the swell and
eye in the plane, and the loop in the same or a different plane, with the
arms crossed or locked together, or not crossed between the loop and
swell and crossed between the swell and eye, and having the same or
reverse positions relatively to each other at the crossing between the
swell and eye and between the loop and swell, and in forming the eye of
two hooks overlapping each other, and so made that the upper hook is in
the lower arm at the crossing between the swell and eye, and the lower
hook is in the upper arm at that crossing, and in forming the hooks so
that these ends meet and fit together, thus making a continuous close
eye capable of opening to receive a ring, link, or other article.
The piece of wire or other material of which the snap hook is to be
formed is bent in its middle part to form the loop of a square, flat,
round, or other desired form to receive the strap, ring, link, or other
article to which the snap hook is to be applied. The arms of the piece
at their point of meeting after the loop is formed may be bent into a
U shape and passed nearly around each other in either direction, thus
locking the arms together, or they may simply cross each other in either
direction, or they may cross each other in either direction and be bent
nearly at right angles, thus also locking the arms together; or they may
be bent in either direction nearly at right angles without crossing each

page_text: other. Of these constructions the first two bring the loop into the same
plane with the body of the snap hook, and the last two bring the loop
into a plane at right angles with the plane of the body of the snap hook.
The arms of the piece are bent outward below their point of meeting at
the base of the loop to form the swell of a circular or other form larger
or smaller than the loops may be desired. The arms cross each other at
the base of the swell in either direction and in the same or reverse
positions relatively to each other, as they have in the crossing between
the loop and swell, and are then bent to form the hooks of a circular,
oval, or other desired form, and the hooks may meet end to end and fit
together, or they may overlap each other. The hook of the lower wire
at the crossing between the swell and hooks may be below the hook of
the upper wire at that crossing, or, by preference, the hook of the lower
wire at the crossing between the swell and hooks may be above the hook
of the upper wire at that crossing.
These improved snap hooks may be made of steel, iron, brass, or other
flexible and elastic material of required size, strength, and elasticity, for
the purpose for which they are adapted, with a tinned, japanned,
galvinized, nickel plated, fires-gill, or other coating, and may be made
wholly or in part by hand or by machinery.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd September 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
38th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special
license that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time

page_text: 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
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SNAP HOOKS," a communication to me from abroad by
Francis C. Nye, of New York, in the United States of America, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to 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 John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say:-
The said Invention relates first to an improved snap hook, which is a
made of one piece of wire or other flexible and elastic material, and
composed of the loop, sides, and two hooks, and has the plane of the
loop the same as that of the hooks, and about at right angles with the
plane of the sides. Each arm of the snap hook between the loop and
the hooks has a convex bend, one above and the other below the 2
horizontal plane of the loop, thus forming a swell in the sides of the
snap hook. The loop is made of a square, round, bow shaped, oval, or
other desired form, and the hooks are made. so as to lock the arms
together where they are crossed after forming the swell, or in the reverse
manner, with or without a crossing in the arms between the swell and a
the hooks. The hooks are formed in such position that the close part of
each hook covers the open part of the other, and thus the two hooks
make a close eye. The arms between the loop and the swell are locked
together or not crossed, thus leaving an opening between the loop and
the swell, and this improved snap hook may be formed with the arms å
locked together on both sides of the swell, or locked together between
the loop and swell, and simply crossed between the swell and the
hooks, or without any crossing between the swell and the hooks,

page_text: and it may be formed with the arms locked together, or simply crossed
between the swell and the hooks, and not crossed between the loop and
swell, or without crossing the arms on either side of the swell. The
arms in the swell may stand respectively in such positions relatively to
the plane of the swell which is at right angles to the plane of the loop,
and passes through the crossing or opening in the snap hook between
the loop and the swell that each arm is kept wholly on the same side of
such plane of the swell, or each arm may be on one side of such plane
near the loop, and on the other side near the hooks. The upper convex
bend of the swell is formed in the same arm as the lower hook, and the
lower convex bend in the same arm as the upper hook, and when the
arms are not locked together between the loop and the swell each bend
of the swell may be formed in either arm, and in this improved snap
hook when formed with the arms locked together between the loop and
the swell the arms have the same relative positions to each other in the
hooks as where they cross between the loop and the swell, and thence
that arm in which the upper hook is formed (looking at the snap hook
with the plane of the loop and hooks horizontal) is above the other arm
at the crossing between the loop and the swell, and is bent downwards
at the swell, and conversely the arm in which the lower hook is formed
is below the other arm at the same crossing, and is bent upwards at the
swell. Accordingly, in this form of the snap hook, by compressing the
sides of the swell, the arms are opened where they cross between the
loop and the swell, as well as the hooks, and the arms may be locked
together between the loop and the swell by passing either arm of the
loop (as it stands horizontal) above or below the other. When this snap
hook is formed with each arm wholly on the same side of the plane of
the swell, as above mentioned, a ring or other article may be passed
between the hooks as well as the arms, where they are locked together
on one or both sides of the swell and thus attached to the loop, leaving
the hooks ready to be snapped on another ring or other article, and in
this way two links of a chain may be connected together by this snap
hook. The hooks in the snap hook formed with each arm on opposite
sides of such plane near where they are locked together between the
loop and the swell and near the hooks cannot be displaced in use, as
cach hook is prevented from being forced out of place to one side by the
locking together of the arms between the loop and the swell, and in
such snap hook where the arms are locked together or simply crossed
between the swell and the hooks, but not between the loop and the

page_text: swell, the formation of the bends in the arms from the loop to the hooks
offers resistance to such displacement of either hook sufficient to prevent
the same in actual use.
The said Invention, secondly, relates in general to snap hooks made of
one piece of wire or other flexible and elastic material composed of loop,
swell, and two hooks or close eye, and opening and closing by the elasticity
or resiliency of the material. These snap hooks are made with the arms
crossed or locked together between the loop and swell, as well as between
the swell and hooks. Each arm may be passed across the other in
locking the arms together or simply crossing them. The improvements
are illustrated in snap hooks having the loop and swell in about the
same plane, and the hooks or eye in a plane about at right angles
thereto. Viewing these snap hooks, with the loop horizontal, either arm
may be passed over or under the other in crossing the arms next after
forming the loop, and where the arms are crossed without locking them
together between the loop and swell that arm which passes over the
other next to the loop is passed under the other in crossing the arms or
locking them together between the swell and hooks, and that arm which
passes under the other next to the loop is passed over the other between
the swell and the hooks. The arms are locked together between the
loop and swell by first passing either arm over or under and across the
other, and then passing that arm which has been crossed above the other
under and across it, and that arm which has been passed below the other
over and across it. The swell is composed of an outward bend in each
arm, and where the arms are locked together between the loop and
swell the right hand portions both of the loop and swell are formed in
one and the same arm, the left hand portions of the loop and swell being
formed in the other arm, while in those snap hooks which have the arms
simply crossed between the loop and swell the right hand portion of the
loop and the left hand portion of the swell are formed in one arm, and
the left hand portion of the loop and the right hand portion of the swell
are formed in the other arm. In crossing the arms or locking them
together between the swell and hooks cither arm may be passed
over or under the other in those snap hooks which have the arms locked
together between the loop and swell.
The said Invention, thirdly, relates in general to snap hooks made
wholly of one piece of wire or other flexible and elastic material, and
composed of loop, swell, and close eye, and it consists in forming the

page_text: :
swell and eye in the same plane, and the loop in the same or a different
plane with the arms crossed or locked together, or not crossed between
the loop and swell, and crossed between the swell and eye, and having
the same or reverse portions relatively to each other at the crossing
between the swell and eye, and between the loop and swell, and in
forming the eye of two hooks overlapping each other, and so made that
the upper hook is in the lower arm at the crossing between the swell
and eye, and the lower hook is in the upper arm at that crossing, and
in forming the hooks, so that their ends meet and fit together, thus
making a continuous close eye, capable of opening to receive a ring,
link, or other article.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed threc Sheets of
Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts
in all the corresponding Figures.
The Figures on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings illustrate the
first part of this Invention, the Figures on Sheet 2 illustrate the second
part of this Invention, and those on Sheet 3 illustrate the third part of
the Invention. In the whole of the Figures A. represents the loop;
B, the swell; and C, C¹, the hooks.
.
Figures 1 to 12 inclusive on Sheet 1 each represent one side view and
one edge view of twelve distinct modifications of the construction of the
improved snap hook; and Figures 13 to 16 (Sheet 1) inclusive represent
respectively perspective views of different sizes of one of the improved
snap hooks of the same construction as that shown in Figure 2.
It will be perceived that the snap hooks shown at Figures 1 to 6
inclusive have the arms crossed or locked together on both sides of the
swell B, and in those shewn at Figures 1, 3, and 5 the arm a, which
passes over the other in the crossings, and in which the lower portion b
of the swell B and the upper hook C¹are formed, is on the left-hand
side of the loop, and the right-hand arm a' at the loop passes under the
other at the crossings, and has the upper portion b¹ of the swell and the
lower hook C formed in it, while in the snap hooks shewn at Figures 2,
4, and 6 that arm a, which is above the other at the crossings, and in
which the lower portion of the swell B and the upper hook C'are
formed, is on the right-hand side of the loop A, and the left-hand arm a¹

page_text: passes under the other at the crossings, and has the upper portion 6¹ of
the swell B and the lower hook O formed in it.
In the snap hooks shown at Figures 3 to 6 inclusive each.arm in the
swell B is wholly on the same side of the plane of the swell, which is
conceived to pass through the crossings, and perpendicular to the plane
of the loop A, while in the snap hooks shewn at Figures 1 and 2 each
arm of the swell is on opposite sides of such plane of the swell B near
the loop A, and near the hooks C, C¹.
The snap hooks shown at Figures 7 to 10 inclusive have the arms
locked together between the swell and the hooks, but not crossed 1
between the loop and the swell, thus leaving an opening between the
arms where they pass from the loop to the swell.
The lower portion of the swell B, together with the upper hook C¹
and the upper portion b¹ of the swell B with the lower hook C, are
respectively shown at Figures 7 and 9. formed in the same arm as at
Figures 1, 3, and 5, and shown at Figures 8 and 10 formed in the same
arm as at Figures 2, 4, and 6.
In the snap hooks shown at Figures 9 and 10 each arm of the swell
stands wholly on the same side of the plane of the swell similarly to the
snap hooks shown at Figures 3 to 6 inclusive, while in those shewn at
Figures 7 and 8 each arm of the swell stands crosswise of the said plane,
being on one side of said plane near the loop, and on the other side near
the hooks, similarly to the snap hooks shewn at Figures 1 and 2.
Modifications of the improved snap hook are represented at Figures 11
and 12, similar respectively to those shown at Figures 1 and 2, except
that the arms are not crossed between the swell and the hooks, but have
an opening there between them, and the hooks are formed in the reverse
manner.
The swell in the sides of the snap hook affords a convenient means of
opening the hooks to put them on a ring, by compressing the two bends.
of the swell between the thumb and forefinger, and the loop being at
right angles to the swell the snap hook is held at the same time more
conveniently in the hand, and the formation of the bends further
facilitates the opening of the hooks.
In putting the snap hook on a ring it is not necessary however to
open the hooks until they are placed against the ring, when by com-

page_text: pressing the swell slightly and at the same time pushing the snap hook,
it will slip easily on the ring.
The snap hook is easily taken off the ring by bringing the ends of the
hooks against the inside surface of the ring, and turning the snap hook
slightly which opens the hooks and allows it to be pulled off the ring
when the hooks spring close together again.
These improved snap hooks in which a swell is formed between the
loop and eye or hooks, and standing at right angles to the plane of the
loop, are adapted to a great variety of uses in various arts, and are
formed of one piece of wire; they open casily by hand to be put on a
ring which can be used to connect a strap with a ring at right angles to
it without twisting the strap or ring. An example of this use of the
improved snap hook is to connect the traces of harness with the ring of
the whiffletree where it will be found advantageous and economical.
As they [may be made wholly by machinery each snap hook is a fac-
simile of every other of the same class and all are of perfect form,
strength, and durability. They may be made of all sizes from one
quarter of an inch or less to five inches or more in length of all sizes and
descriptons of wire or other flexible material, large and small, and in
quantities abundant for their various uses, at small cost above the
material, thus affording a cheap, efficient, and convenient means of con-
necting a strap and ring, or link which may be readily disconnected by
hand.
Figures 1 to 12 inclusive, Sheet 2, each represent one side view and
one edge view of twelve distinct modifications of snap hooks containing
the improvements which form the subject of the second part of this
Invention.
Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, represent snap hooks having the arms crossed
without locking them together between the loop A and swell B, and the
remaining Figures represent snap hooks with the arms locked together
between the loop and swell.
Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10 respectively, shew the arms locked together
between the swell and hooks, while the remaining Figures show the
arms simply crossed between the swell and hooks.
Figures 7, 8, 11, and 12, represent snap hooks in which the loop is
round, and in the other Figures the loop is square or flat.

page_text: In the snap hook shewn in Figures 1 and 3, the left hand arm a is
passed over the left a' in the crossing between the loop and swell, and
under it in the locking together or crossing of the arms between the
śwell and hooks, and conversely the right hand arm a¹ is passed under
the left a in the crossing between the loop and swell, and over it on the
other side of the swell, while in the snap hooks shewn in Figures 2 and
4 the right hand arm a is passed over the left a¹ in the first crossing and
under it in the second, and the left hand arm a' is passed under the
right a in the first crossing and over it on the other side of the swell.
The first four Figures shew the right hand portion of the loop, and
the left hand portion of the swell formed in the right hand arm, and the
left hand portion of the loop, and the right hand portion of the swell
formed in the left hand arm while the remaining Figures represent the
right hand portions both of the loop and swell as formed in the right
hand arm and the left hand portions in the left hand arm.
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, represent snap hooks in which the upper arm
at the crossing made next after forming the swell is the same as the
upper arm at the crossing next to the loop, the lower arm being also the
same in both of those crossings, while in Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, are
shown snap hooks in which the upper arm in the crossing next to
the loop is the lower arm in the crossing on the other side of the swell,
and the lower arm in the crossing next to the loop is the upper arm in
the crossing on the other side of the swell.
Figures 5 and 7 represent snap hooks in which the left-hand arm a is
passed over and across the right hand arm a¹, and the right under and
across the left next after forming the loop, and then the left hand arm a
is passed under and across the right a³ and the right hand arm a' over
and across the left a, and after forming the swell the left hand arm a is
passed as in the first crossing over and across the right a', and the right
hand arm a¹ under and across the left a.
Figures 6 and 8 represent snap hooks in which after forming the loop
the right hand arm a is passed over and across the left a¹, and the left
hand arm a¹ under and across the right a, and then the right hand arm
is passed under and across the left and the left hand arm over and across
the right, and after the swell is formed the right hand arm is passed again
over and across the left, and the left hand arm as in the first crossing
under and across the right.

page_text: In Figures 9 and 11, the arms are shewn locked together between the
loop and swell in the same manner as in Figures 5 and 7, and the
locking together of the arms between the loop and swell in the snap
hooks shewn in Figures 10 and 12 is the same as in those represented in
Figures 6 and 8. The left-hand arm a in the snap hooks shewn in
Figures 9 and 11, having been passed over and across the right_hand
arm a in the crossing formed next after making the loop, is passed
under and across the right in the crossing made next after forming the
swell, and the right hand arm is passed over and across the left in the
latter crossing, having been passed under and across the left in
the crossing next to the loop. In Figures 10 and 12 the right hand arm
is shewn below the left in the crossing made next after forming the
swell, and above the left in the crossing next to the loop, the left hand
arm being shewn below the right in the latter crossing and above it in the
former.
In making the improved snap hooks it is preferred to mill or dress off
the ends of the piece of wire to a round tapering or other desired form
after it is cut off, and before bending and forming it into a snap hook.
By compressing the swell the hooks are opened and allow a ring, link, or
other article to pass between them, and upon relieving the swell from
this pressure the hooks spring close together again, leaving the ring
hanging securely on them. The snap hook may be conveniently taken
off the ring or other article to which it is attached by bringing the ring
to bear on the close part of each hook which is between the ends of the
hooks and the point where the arms are crossed before forming the
hooks, and then turning the snap hook on the ring so that the mutual
leverage of the arms opens the hooks and the snap hook may be pulled
easily off the ring. The arms are sprung apart where they are locked
together on either side of the swell by compressing the swell between
the thumb and forefinger, and thus the elasticity of the whole piece of
which the snap hook is made aids in opening the hooks with great
ease.
In snap hooks heretofore made of one piece of wire without crossing
the arms or locking them together between the loop and swell, the hooks
have been liable to slide upon each other, and thus become easily
displaced in use destroying the form of the snap hook and rendering it
unfit for use. This defect by means of this Invention is removed by
crossing the arms or locking them together between the loop and swell,

page_text: whereby the hook formed in either arm is prevented from sliding or
springing to one side by the resistance offered by the other arm at
the crossing or locking together of the arms between the loop and
swell.
Figures 1 to 15 inclusive, Sheet 3, each represent one side and one
edge view of distinct modifications of the improved snap hooks made
according to the third part of this Invention. The swell B is shown in the
same plane as the eye or hooks C, C¹, and the loop A is also shewn in
the same plane with the swell and eye, except in Figures 7, 8, 9, 10,
and 11, where the plane of the loop A is about at right angles to the
plane of the swell and eye.
Figures 5 and 6 represent the improved snap hooks with the arms
crossed between the loop and swell, and Figures 9 and 10 represent them
with the arms open or not, crossed between the loop and swell, while in
the remaining Figures they are represented with the arms locked
together between the loop and swell.
· Figures 6 and 15 represent the improved snap hooks in which the ends
of the piece meet to form the eye, as shewn at c.
Figures 5, 12, 13, and 14, represent the hooks in the same positions
relatively to each other, as the arms in which they are respectively
formed at the crossing between the swell and the hooks, while tho
remaining Figures, except Figures 6 and 15 represent the improved
snap hooks in which the upper hook C' is formed in the arm which is
below the other at the crossing next to the hooks, and the lower hook C
is formed in the upper arm at that crossing.
The piece of wire or other material of which the snap hook is to be
formed is bent in its middle part to form the loop A of a square, flat,
round, or other desired form to receive the strap, ring, link, or other
article to which the snap hook is to be applied. The arms of the piece
at their point of meeting after the loop is formed may be bent into a
U shape and passed nearly around each other in either direction, thus
locking the arms together, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, and 15, or
they may simply cross each other in either direction, as shewn in
Figures 5, 6, 13, and 14, or they may cross each other in either direction
and be nearly at right angles, thus also locking the arms together, as shewn
in Figures 7, 8, and 11, or they may be bent in either direction nearly at

page_text: right angles without crossing each other, as shewn in Figures 9 and 10.
Of these constructions the first two bring the loop into the same plane
with the body of the snap hook, and the last two bring the loop into a
plane at right angles with the plane of the body of the snap hook.
The arms of the piece are bent outward below their point of meeting at
the base of the loop to form the swell B of a circular or other form
larger or smaller than the loops, as may be desired. The arms cross
each other at the base of the swell in either direction, and in the same
or reverse positions relatively to each other as they have in the crossing
between the loop and swell, and are then bent to form the hooks C, C¹,
of a circular, oval, or other desired form, and the hooks may meet end
to end and fit together, as shewn in Figures 6 and 15, or they may over-
lap each other, as shewn in the remaining Figures. The hook C of the
lower wire at the crossing between the swell B and hooks C, C¹, may be
below the hook C¹ of the upper wire at that crossing, as shewn in
Figures 5, 11, 12, 13, and 14, or the hook C of the lower wire at the
crossing between the swell and hooks may be above the hook C¹ of the
upper wire at that crossing, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9,
and 10, which arrangement is by preference employed.
The snap hooks are opened in putting them in or taking them off the
ring, link, or other article to which they are attached by compressing
the sides or bends of the swell between the thumb and forefinger, which
spreads the hooks apart and allows the ring to be passed through them,
and upon releasing the swell from this pressure the hooks spring
together again and the eye becomes close as when first made. The arms
also open where they are locked together between the loop and
swell upon compressing the swell, and the elasticity of the whole
piece of which the snap hook is made enables it to be opened with great
case.
In these snap hooks in which the ends of the hooks meet to form the
eye, and in those in which the positions of the hooks relatively to each
other are the reverse of the arms in which they are respectively formed
at the crossing between the swell and the hooks the snap hook cannot
be conveniently detached from the article with which it is connected
without compressing the swell, and accordingly the eye is not liable to
be accidentally detached from the ring in use.
These improved snap hooks may be made of steel, iron, brass, or other
flexible and elastic material of required size, strength, and elasticity for

page_text: the purpose for which they are adapted with a tinned, japanned,
galvanized, nickel-plated, fires-gill, or other coating, and may be made
wholly or in part by hand or by machinery.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
In reference to the first part of the Invention, —
In reference to the first part of the Invention, —

page_text: Second. The combination of the loop and swell of a snap hook with
the arms locked together between them, substantially as described.
Third. The improved snap hook constructed with loop, swell, and
eye, and having the arms crossed between the loop and swell, and
in the reverse manner between the swell and eye, substantially as
described.
Fourth. The improved snap hook constructed with loop, swell, and
eye, and having the arms locked together on both sides of the swell,
substantially as described.
Fifth. The improved snap hook constructed with loop, swell, and eye,
and having the arms crossed on one side and locked together on the
other side of the swell, substantially as described.
Sixth. The locking together of the arms of a snap hook between the
loop and swell in about the same plane as the loop, consisting of passing
either arm over or under and across the other, and then passing the
upper arm under and across the lower, and the lower arm over and
across the upper, substantially as described.
Seventh. The combination of the swell in the sides of a snap hook
with the two hooks forming a close eye standing in a different plane
from the swell, and having the close part of the hook which is formed
in the right hand arm of the horizontal swell above the plane of the
swell, and the close part of the hook which is formed in the left hand
arm of said swell below said plane, substantially as described.
In reference to the third part of the Invention,-
First. The improved snap hook having the loop, swell, and eye all in
about the same plane, substantially as described.
Second. The improved snap hook having the loop and eye in the
same plane and the arms crossed between them, substantially as
described.
Third. The improved snap hook in which the hook formed in the
lower arm at the single crossing of the arms upon each other next to
the hooks is above the hook formed in the upper arm at that crossing,
substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination of the swell with the eye of a snap hook
about in the same plane, substantially as described.

page_text: Fifth. The combination of the swell and eye of a snap hook with the
loop in a different plane, substantially as described.
Sixth. The close eye of a snap hook made of one piece of material, the
ends of which fit together and allow the eye to open, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to
this my Specification set my hand and seal, this First day of
⚫ September One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.