IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUCKLES
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Bourne, of West Smithfield, in the
County of Middlesex, Saddler, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUCKLES."
Sealed the 16th May 1854, and dated the 17th November 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Bourne
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 17th November 1853.
I, THOMAS BOURNE, of West Smithfield, in the County of Middlesex,
Saddler, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUCKLES " to be as follows:
My said Invention relates to a peculiar construction of buckles,
particularly applicable to every description of harness, and to the
buckles for carriage package and some descriptions of machinery straps,
or wherever the speedy releasing of the buckle from the strap is
desirable.
And for the better understanding of my said Invention I will now
proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed, in which the same
letters indicate like parts throughout.

page_text: c
Fig. 1, is a top view or plan of the buckle as it would appear in use.
Fig. 2, is a top view or plan, showing the buckle with the tongue
released from the strap. A, B, C, D, is the frame of the buckle.
The end A, is fastened to a strap as usual, and the remainder of
the frame B, C, D, can be used like the buckles in ordinary use,
but the end B, C, D, is double or split, and opens by a hinge joint
at C, as seen in Fig. 2, where a, b, are two studs, entering cor-
responding holes a, b', in the under portion of the frame, and
may have spring catches to either, as most desirable. When the
ends B, D, are raised, the curved portion of C, upon which the
tongue E rested, being removed, and the under frame at C', being
cut away, the tongue falls through, and the consequence is that it
instantly lets slip the tongue_from. the strap it previously held. The
arms B, D, acting on the principle of the lever, the fulcrum being at
C, a good mechanical power is thereby obtained for releasing the strap
even when having some considerable strain upon it.
Having thus described one method of constructing my improved
buckle, I would observe that I do not limit myself to material, size,
form, or application of such improved buckles, and I do declare that
what I claim as my Invention is, namely,
The peculiar construction of buckles herein described, for facilitating
the release of the strap.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Bourne in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 16th May 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
THOMAS BOURNE, of West Smithfield, in the County of Middlesex,
Saddler, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date. the Seventeenth day. of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
seventeenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
-

page_text: cessors, give and 'grant unto me, the said Thomas Bourne, Her spécial
licence that I, the said Thomas. Bourne, my executors,, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I; the said Thomas Bourne, 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
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUCKLES;" upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the. said Thomas Bourne; by an instrument in
writing under my hand and scal, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain 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 Thomas Bourne, 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:
My said. Invention relates to a peculiar construction. of. buckles;
particularly applicable to every description of harness, and to the
buckles for carriage, package, and some descriptions of machinery
straps, and wherever the speedy releasing of. the strap from the buckle
is desirable.
And for the better understanding of my said Invention; I will now
proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed, in which the same
letters indicate like parts throughout.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS...
Figure 1, No. 1, is a plan or top view; and No. 2, is a plan
of the back of the end A, No. 1; and Figure 2, is a plan or top
view, showing the manner of releasing the strap. A, B, C, D, is
the frame of the buckle. The end A, is hinged, as shown at the
upper side No. 1, and on the under side No. 2, where it is provided
with a strong spring a, b, c, secured at a, b, and bending upwards

page_text: against the centre of the hinge, thereby to prevent its being accidentally
acted on by any shaking or tremulous motion to which it might be
liable, particularly when used for harness, but which this spring
effectually counteracts. A, B, D, can be used like the buckles in
ordinary use, but from B', D', towards A, being double or split, with a
hinge and spring at A, as seen in Fig. 2, can be easily opened, the studs
a', a', entering the corresponding holes b, b, serving further to secure it
when closed, and the studs or the holes may have spring catches when
required. When the ends B', D', are raised, the curved portion A',
upon which the tongue E rested, being removed, and the under frame
at A, being cut away, the tongue E falls through, consequently it
instantly lets slip the tongue from the strap it previously held. The
arms B, D, acting on the principle of the lever, the fulcrum being at
A, a good mechanical power is thereby obtained for releasing the strap,
even when having a strain upon it that would render it difficult to raise
the tongue by hand.
Having thus described one method of constructing my improved
buckles, I would observe that the novelty of my Invention consists in
providing a hinge at A, with or without a spring, and in having studs
and holes a', 6', furnished with spring catches. And I do declare that
what I claim as my Invention is, namely,-
The novelty in the construction of buckles used for facilitating the
release of the strap, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Bourne, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
THOMAS BOURNE. (L.S.)