CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS AND OTHER FASTENINGS FOR DRESS
Year: 1844

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
FIELDING EMPSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Sixteenth day of January, in the seventh year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Fielding Empson, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and autho-
rity, that I, the said John Fielding Empson, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Fielding Empson, my exe-
cutors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS AND OTHER
FASTENINGS FOR DRESS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained is con-
tained a proviso that I, the said John Fielding Empson, shall cause a parti-
cular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Fielding Empson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-

page_text: tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My improvements in the construction and manufacture of buttons and other
fastenings for dress, consist of,-
Firstly, an improvement in the construction of flexible shanks for covered
buttons, whereby a saving in the fabric used for the construction of the said
shanks is effected.
Secondly, of improved methods of constructing covered buttons, by which
a saving of the covering material is effected.
Thirdly, of an improved method of forming the holes of metal buttons,
commonly called four-hole buttons.
Fourthly, of improved methods of constructing that description of button
commonly called a sewn-through button.
Fifthly, of an improved method of constructing flexible shanks of braid,
gimp, corded or sewing silk, and such like materials.
Sixthly, of constructing buttons of a cylindrical figure, also of an octagonal
figure, or of a figure having a greater or less number of sides than eight.
Seventhly, of improved hooks and eyes.
Eighthly, of improved fastenings for stocks.
Ninthly, of improved fastenings for trowser straps.
My improved flexible shank is represented in Figures 1 and 2. In the
ordinary method of constructing flexible shanks the shank cloth extends over
the whole inner surface of the ring which constitutes the back of the button;
by my improved method of construction the flexible shank may be made with
a much smaller piece of shank cloth than is necessary in the ordinary method
of manufacture. To make my improved flexible shank, I take a disc of iron
or other suitable material, a little larger than the hole in the back of the
button through which the shank protrudes. This disc is shewn in section
at a, Figure 2, which Figure represents a vertical section of one of my
improved shanks. Figure 1 is a plan of the same. I cover the disc a with
the shank cloth, previously pressed or raised into the required form, by turn-
ing the edge of the said cloth over the edge of the said disc, as seen in the
Drawing. Having placed the disc and shank cloth in the ring constituting
the back of the button, in such a way as to cause the projecting part of the
shank cloth to pass through the opening in the said back of the button, I fill
the interior of the button with paper or other suitable material, to keep the
disc and shank cloth in their proper places. Figure 3 represents in section

page_text: the ring or back of a button, with the disc a and shank cloth 6 in their proper
places, as well as the paper c, which fills the interior of the button and retains
the shank in its proper position.
One of my improved methods of constructing covered buttons, by which a
saving of covering material is effected, is as follows:-d, Figure 4, represents
the ring constituting the back of the button, which is formed with a flange on
its edge, as seen in the Drawing; the size of this flange is such, that it fits
in the shell e, which constitutes the face of the button; this shell is shewn
separately in plan in Figure 5, and in section in Figure 6. I place the shell e,
Figure 4, on the ring or back d of the button, in the position shewn in the
Drawing, having previously introduced the filling material c, and with suitable
tools I turn the edge of the shell e, Figure 4, over the flange of the ring or
back d of the button. The dies or tools by which the back and front of the
button are thus secured together are well known and in common use, and
I therefore deem a description of them unnecessary. The button at this stage
of its manufacture has the appearance shewn in section in Figure 7, and in
plan in Figure 8; the various parts are firmly put together, but the face of
the button is still uncovered. The method of covering the button is illustrated
by Figure 10, and is as follows:-I take a narrow metallic ring g, shewn
separately in Figure 9; the interior diameter of this ring is such, that it fits
tightly on the shoulder d' at the back of the button; the external diameter of
the ring g is a little less than that of the face of the button. Having prepared a
disc of the covering material a little larger than the face of the button, I place
it in a die or mould, and with suitable tools (herein-after described) I gather
the edge of the disc of covering material over the edge of the button.
While the edge of the covering material is thus gathered in and turned over
the back of the button I force the ring 9 on the shoulder d' on the back of
the button, as shewn in the section Figure 10, the covering material is thus
held tightly between the edge f of the button and the ring g. The button
at this stage of its manufacture has the appearance represented in section in
Figure 10, and in plan in Figure 11. I finish the button by subjecting it to
he action of dies or tools, by which the deep shoulder d', on which the ring g
its, is pressed over the said ring so as to keep it in its place, and thereby
irmly secure the covering material. The button thus completed is repre-
ented in section in Figure 12, and in plan in Figure 13; the depression of
he shoulder on the ring g is clearly seen in Figure 12. The dies or tools
y the use of which the covering of the button is effected, are represented
eparately in Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, and in combination in
Figure 20. h is a die, shewn separately in Figures 14 and 15, having a

page_text: cylindrical chamber of a size suitable for the reception of the button. This
cylindrical chamber is closed at bottom by the sliding plug or piston i, shewn
separately in Figure 16. The range of motion of this sliding plug or piston
is limited, by the rivet j passing through the slot k in the said sliding plug.
When about to be used the dich is placed on the bed or die 1, shewn sepa-
rately in Figure 19, the end of the sliding plug or piston i fitting into a
corresponding cavity in the bed or die l. The disc of covering material is
placed in the die h, and the uncovered button being placed face downwards
on the covering material, they are pushed to the bottom of the chamber in the
said die. The narrow ring, Figure 9, is placed in the tube m, shewn sepa-
rately in Figure 17, and the said tube is introduced into the chamber in the
die h, which chamber contains the uncovered button and covering material.
The edge of the tube m gathers in the edge of the disc of covering material,
A punch n,
which is thus brought under the ring supported in the tube m.
shewn separately in Figure 18, is then forced down the tube m, and in its
passage the said punch forces the ring, Figure 9, out of the tube m, and
presses it on the shoulder of the button (see d', Figure 10), and thus secures
the covering material as herein-before explained. The punch n and tube m
are now withdrawn, and the die h removed from the bed or die 1, the finished
button is removed by raising the sliding plug or plunger i.
My other improvement, by which I effect a saving in the material used for
covering buttons, is as follows:-I attach the covering material by cement-
ing or otherwise to the shell constituting the face of the button; the edge of
this shell is slightly flanged: this shell is shewn with the covering material
attached in Figure 21. The interior of this shell is filled with paper or other
material for the purpose of supporting it, and keeping the shank in its proper
position. Figure 23 represents the ring constituting the back of the button.
I place the flexible shank o in the ring p, constituting the back of the button,
as shewn in Figure 22, and put the shell or front of the button q, and filling
material, in the said ring p. I then subject the partially-formed button to
the action of dies, by which the upright edge of the ring p is turned down as
represented in plan in Figure 24, and in section in Figure 25. As the button
is being forced into the form represented in Figure 25, the edge of the ring p
takes hold of the flanged edge of the shell 7 and covering material, as seen in
the Drawing. By the action of other tools or dies the button is compressed
so as to flatten and expand the front shell and make it of a diameter slightly
larger than that of the back or ring p. The button in this its finished state
is represented in Figures 26, 27, and 28; Figure 26 being a plan of the front,
Figure 27 a section, and Figure 28 a plan of the back of the button. The

page_text: dies or tools by which the various parts of the button are formed and put
together are so well understood by persons acquainted with the button manu-
facture, that I deem a description of them unnecessary.
My improved method of forming the holes of metallic four-hole buttons is
as follows:--I form the holes in the button by punching or otherwise, of a
size somewhat less than that I intend the finished holes to have; I then sub-
ject each hole of the button to the action of the punch and die represented
in Figure 29, by which the edges of the holes are enlarged and rounded.
Figure 30 represents in plan one of the buttons before it has been subjected
to the action of the punch and die. Figure 29 and Figure 31 represents in
plan one of the buttons, after it has been subjected to the action of the punch
and die. Figure 29 and Figure 32 represents a section of one of the finished
buttons; the rounded edges of the holes are clearly seen in Figure 32.
One of my improved methods of constructing sewn-through buttons, is as
follows: I take a disc, Figure 33, cut out of the fabric of which I intend to
form the face of the button, and place it in a metallic ring or shell having an
upright edge, Figure 34, and I then place a second disc of the same size as
the former, but made of an inferior material, in the said ring or shell, and on
the last-mentioned disc I place a flat narrow metallic ring, Figure 35; I then
subject the whole to the action of tools, by which the edge of the ring r,
Figure 36, is turned down and made to grasp tightly the discs s, t, and ring u,
thus forming a button to be attached by sewing through and through the
woven fabric in the centre, the said fabric being surrounded by a narrow
metallic edge. The button thus completed is shewn in section in Figure 36,
and in plan in Figure 37.
My other improved sewn-through button is made as follows:-I take a
ring or shell having an upright edge, Figure 38, and a disc, Figure 39, of the
fabric of which I intend to make the face of the button, the said disc of cover-
ing material being somewhat larger than the ring or shell, Figure 38. I
cover the said ring or shell with the said disc of covering material, and gather
into the interior of the said shell the edge of the said disc of covering material.
I then take a metallic ring, Figure 40, of smaller diameter than the ring or
shell, Figure 38, and a disc, Figure 41, of stronger material, to form the back of
the button, and I cover the said ring or shell with the said disc of covering
material. I then place the covering ring, Figure 40, in the covered ring or
shell, Figure 38, taking care to place outwards that side of the said ring which
is wholly covered. The button, in this stage of its manufacture, is represented
in section in Figure 42. I then turn down the upright edge of the ring or
shell v, Figure 42, with suitable tools, so as to make it grasp tightly the said

page_text: covered ring w, Figure 42. The button thus completed is covered with
the covering material on both sides, and none of the metallic parts are
exposed. The various parts of the button are disposed in the manner
shewn in section in Figure 43. I sometimes only cover the shell constituting
the front of the button, Figure 38, with covering material, and introduce
the ring, Figure 40, without covering it; in that case the finished button
is covered on the front and edge, while the metallic ring, Figure 40, is
exposed at the back of the said button. I should here remark, that although
Figures 36, 42, and 43, represent the disposition of the various parts of the
two buttons last described, they do not correctly represent the thickness of the
said buttons, for when they are completed the thickness of each of the said
buttons scarcely exceeds that of stout cardboard; but it would have been
impossible to represent clearly in the Figures the arrangement of the various
parts of the said buttons within the space occupied by the parts in the real
buttons. I have given an additional thickness to the said buttons, in order
that the said various parts may be distinctly seen. Figure 44 respresents, in edge
view, the correct thickness of the button represented in Figures 36 and 43. The
tools by which I form the button last described are represented in section in
Figures 45 and 46. A is a peg die on which the tube B is placed, and on the
said tube the ring or die C. The disc of covering material for the back of
the button, Figure 41, is placed on the ring or die C, and the flat metallic ring,
Figure 40, is placed on the said disc of covering material. The said disc and
ring are forced down the tube B until they reach the peg die A, and the
punch D is then brought down upon them; the said punch closes over or
flattens the covering material, as seen in the Figure. The punch D is then
withdrawn, and the ring C removed; the tube B, holding the covered back of
the said button, is then inverted and placed on the die, Figure 46, in the
bottom of which die the disc of covering material F (Figure 39) for the face
of the button, and the shell G (Figure 38) have been previously placed. The
edge of the tube B gathers in the covering material F over the edge of the
shell G, and the descent of a punch forces the covered back out of the tube B
into the covered shell G. The button has now the appearance represented in sec-
tion in Figure 42, and is finished by having the edge of the shell v, Figure 42,
turned over, as herein-before described and represented in section, in Figure 43.
My improved method of constructing flexible shanks of braid, gimp, corded
silk, sewing silk, and similar materials, is as follows:-I take a convex metal
disc for the back of the button, the convex side of which is covered with
leather or other suitable material; this disc has a number of notches in its
edge, and is represented in Figures 47 and 48. The exact number of these

page_text: notches is of little consequence, but I prefer four or six. I then wind about
the disc or back of the button a piece of braid, gimp, or corded silk, so as to
cause it to cross itself one or more times at the centre of the back, as seen
in Figure 49. The braid or gimp may be fastened by tying the ends together,
or in any other convenient manner. The button is completed as follows:-A
shell, Figure 50, is covered with the material intended to form the face of the
button, as shewn in section in Figure 51, and the said shell being filled with
paper or other filling material, the back, prepared in the manner just
described, is placed therein, as shewn in plan in Figure 52, and in section in
Figure 53. The edge of the shell is turned down, as shewn in plan in
Figure 54, and in section in Figure 55, and the button is thus completed.
The method of attaching this button to the garment is by passing the needle
under the crossed pieces of braid or silk at the centre of the back of the button.
I sometimes construct the flexible shank of braid, gimp, or silk, in the follow-
ing manner-I take two pieces of braid or gimp, of a length somewhat
greater than the diameter of the button; I lay these pieces of braid or gimp
across each other in the grooves on the top of the peg I, Figures 56 and 57,
the said peg being situated, as shewn in the Drawing, in the tube I, and the
tube I placed in the die J, shewn in section in Figure 58, and in plan in
Figure 58 A. I then place the back of the button, which in this modification
has an upright edge, face downwards on the top of the peg HI, and press the
back, together with the tube I and peg H, into the chamber K, in the die J,
Figure 58, the said die being raised from the flat surface on which it is sup-
posed to have been supported, in order to allow of the lower narrow part of
the tube I passing through the contracted opening at the bottom of the die J,
Figure 58. The peg H falls out of the tube I, on the said tube being raised, with
the die J, Figure 58. The die J, Figure 58, thus furnished with the tube I, the
crossed pieces of braid or gimp and the back of the button is placed in the die L,
Figure 59, and the various tools are disposed in the manner represented in sec-
tion at I, J, L, Figure 60. The tube M, shewn separately in Figure 61, is now
forced down the die J, and in its descent gathers in the ends of the braid or
gimp; and paper or other filling material being forced into the shell or back
by the punch N, shewn separately in Figure 604, retains the ends of the
pieces of braid or gimp in their places. I sometimes use, instead of
the back or shell with an upright edge, a back without such upright edge.
In that case I do not use paper or other similar material for retaining the
ends of the braid or gimp in their proper places, but attach them to the
interior of the back by covering the interior of the said back with a cement
which fuses on the application of heat, and heating the punch N, Figure 60,

page_text: so that when the said punch is brought down upon the ends of the braid or
gimp and back of the button the said cement is fused, and the ends of the
braid or gimp become attached thereto.
Figures 61 and 62 represent my other improved buttons. Figure 614
represents a button of a cylindrical form, the edges of the cylinder being
rounded, as shewn in the Drawing; and Figure 62 represents a button of an
octagonal form. The buttons are constructed in the ordinary manner, and I
therefore deem a description of the method of manufacturing them unneces-
sary. Any workman, competent to make tools for the construction of barrel-
shaped and circular buttons, is fully competent to make the alterations in the
tools necessary to produce cylindrical and octagonal buttons. I do not confine
myself to the precise size or proportions of the cylindrical button represented
in Figure 614, neither do I limit myself to the size and precise figure of the
button represented in Figure 62, as I sometimes form buttons of a greater or
less number of sides than eight.
Figures 63 and 63ª represent one of my improved fastenings for trowser
straps. It consists of a hollow cylinder of metal O, attached to each end of
the trowser strap P; a circular opening Q is made in the hollow cylinder, near
the middle of the said cylinder, and a slot or groove R, proceeding from the
opening Q, extends nearly the whole length of the hollow cylinder O.
S is a
metallic sphere, of such a size that it enters freely the opening Q; this metallic
sphere is attached to the bottom of the trowser by the ring T. Two of these
spheres are attached by their rings to the bottom of the trowser, at points
opposite the ends of the groove or slot R. In order to use this fastening, the
spheres S are introduced separately into the hollow cylinder O at the open-
ing Q, and are then carried along the said cylinder until their progress is
arrested by the stems, which connect them with the rings T, arriving at the
ends of the groove or slot R. The method of unfastening this fastening is so
obvious, that I deem description unnecessary.
Figures 64 and 65 represent another of my improved fastenings for trowser
straps. It consists of a plate of metal U attached to the end of the strap, and
perforated with a circular hole V, two grooves or slots W communicating with
the hole V proceed nearly to the ends of the plate. Two buttons X are
attached to the bottom of the trowsers at points nearly opposite the ends of the
slots or grooves W, W. In order to use this fastening the buttons are passed
through the hole V, and carried along the grooves or slots W, until further
progress is prevented by the shank of the said button coming in contact with
the ends of the slots or grooves W. The method of unfastening the fastening
is so obvious that I deem description unnecessary.

page_text: Figures 60 and 67 represent one of my improved hooks and eyes. Figure 66
represents the hook, which is made of wire, bent so as to form a hook, which
is in the same plane as the loops Y, by which it is attached to the garment.
The eye which I use in connection with this hook is a ring Z, Figure 67,
attached to the garment by a curved wire 1 passing through it; this curved
wire is attached to the garment by loops formed at its ends. Instead of
attaching the eye to the garment through the medium of a bent wire, as
shewn in Figure 67, I sometimes attach it directly to the garment, as shewn
in Figure 67. Figure 68 represents two parts of a garment fastened together
by this hook and eye. The eye, Figure 67, may be used with any other kind
of hook.
eyes.
Figures 69, 70, 71, and 72, represent another of my improved hooks and
Figure 69 represents the eye in plan, and Figure 70 in side view; and
Figure 71 represents the hook in plan, and Figure 72 in side view. In order
to fasten the two parts of dress together to which this hook and eye are
attached, the tongue 2 of the hook is introduced into the eye, Figure 69,
and when that part of the eye marked 3 arrives at that part of the hook
marked 4 the fastening is effected. Figure 73 represents two parts of dress
fastened together by this hook and eye. The method of detaching this hook
and eye from each other is so obvious that I deem a description unnecessary.
Figure 74 represents another of my improved hooks. It is formed of a
single piece of iron, bent into the form represented, the hook and loop by which
it is attached to the garment being in the same plane.
Figure 75 represents an eye, which may be used with the hook last
described, and represented in Figure 74. This eye is formed of wire, bent so
as to form two loops in planes at right angles to each other.
Figure 76 represents two parts of dress fastened together by the hook,
Figure 74, and the eye, Figure 75. The eye, Figure 75, may also be used in
connection with other hooks, and also in place of the barrel in the common
snap.
I sometimes use flexible eyes or loops made of braid, gimp, silk, caoutchouc,
or other flexible substance or material, in connection with the common hook
or any of the hooks herein described.
Figure 77 represents a flexible eye.
Figure 79 represents one of my improved stock fastenings. It consists of
two pieces of wire bent in the forms represented. These bent pieces of wire
are connected together by loops at 5. The stock to which this fastening is
applied is furnished with a button-hole at one end, and a series of button-holes
at the other end; or, instead of button-holes, my flexible eyes or loops, herein-

page_text: before described, may be used. In using the fastening, Figure 79, one of the
bent pieces of wire is introduced into a button-hole, or eye, or loop, at one end
of the stock, and the other bent piece of wire is introduced into a button-hole
or loop at the other end of the said stock.
Figure 80 represents another of my improved stock fastenings. 6 is a piece of
wire bent into the form represented. This bent wire is attached to one end of the
stock at the part marked 6*. 7 is a plate of metal, to be attached to the other
end of the stock; a narrow metallic strip 8, attached to the plate 7, forms
therewith an opening 8, through which the arms of the bent wire 6 pass. In
order to use this fastening, the arms 9 are pressed towards each other until
their ends are close enough together to admit of their introduction into the
opening at 8. When the ends of the arms of the wire 6 have entered
the opening at 8%, and the said arms are allowed to regain their natural
position, they recede from each other so far as the opening at 8 will permit
them. The arms 9 are prevented from moving longitudinally in the opening
at 8" by the notches or projections 10, 10, formed by the bending of the wire 6.
In order to unfasten the fastening it is only necessary to press the arms of the
wire 6 together, when they may be removed from the opening at 8. In order
to fasten the stock with any required degree of tightness, the arms of the
wire 6 must be pressed together and pushed further in, or withdrawn from the
opening at 8; by allowing them to open, the stock becomes fastened in the
desired position.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I claim as
my Invention,
First, the method of constructing flexible shanks, herein-before described
and represented in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings; that is to
say, by covering a disc of metal or other suitable substance with the shank
cloth, the said disc being little larger than the opening at the back of the
button through which the said shank protrudes.
Secondly, the methods of constructing buttons, and effecting a saving in the
material with which the faces of the said buttons are made, herein-before
described and represented in Figures 4 to 28 inclusive of the accompanying
Drawings; that is to say, by using a disc of covering material a little larger
than the front of the button, and securing the said covering material to the
button by turning the edge of the said covering material over the edge of the
button, and retaining the edge of the said covering material between the edge of
the back of the button and a narrow ring of metal or other suitable substance,
the said ring being secured in its place by the depression upon it of a shoulder

page_text: at the back of the button.
Also the method of making covered buttons by
attaching the covering material to the shell constituting the face of the button,
which shell has an edge nearly upright, and turning over the edge of the ring
constituting the back of the button, so as to cause it to take hold of the edges
of the covering material and shell in the process of turning over and finishing
the said button by flattening and expanding the shell constituting the front of
the button, so as to make it of a larger diameter than the back.
Thirdly, the method of forming the holes of metal four-hole buttons, herein-
before described and represented in Figures 29, 30, 31, and 32 of the
accompanying Drawings; that is to say, by piercing or stamping the holes of a
size smaller than that they are intended to have in the finished buttons, and
enlarging and rounding the edges of the said holes by means of a properly con-
structed punch and die.
Fourthly, the construction of sewn-through buttons, with a woven fabric in
the centre, and metallic edges. Also the construction, by dies and pressure, of
sewn-through buttons covered with suitable fabrics on both sides, and exposing
no metallic surface. Also the construction of sewn-through buttons covered
on the edge and face with suitable fabric, and having metallic backs, as
herein-before described and represented in Figures 33 to 46 inclusive of the
accompanying Drawings.
Fifthly, the construction of flexible shanks for buttons with braid, gimp,
corded silk, sewing silk, thread, and other such like materials, by causing pieces
of the said braid, gimp, corded silk, sewing silk, or thread, to cross each other
any convenient number of times at or near the centre of the back of the
said buttons, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 47 to 55
inclusive of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixthly, the construction of cylindrical buttons. Also of buttons the faces
of which are of an octagonal figure, or of a figure having a greater or less
number of sides than eight.
Seventhly, the various methods of constructing hooks and eyes, herein-before
described and represented in Figures 66 to 77 inclusive; that is to say, the
construction of hooks in which the loops used for attaching the said hooks to
garments are in the same plane as the said hooks. Also the use of a ring to
be connected with a hook in place of an eye, whether the said ring be
connected directly with the garment or through the medium of a bent wire.
Also the use of a ring in place of the barrel of the common clasp. Also the
hooks and eyes herein-before described and represented in Figures 71, 72, 73,
74, 75, and 76. Also the construction of flexible eyes or loops of braid, gimp,
silk, or other such like materials.

page_text: Eighthly, the methods of constructing fastenings for trowser straps, herein-
before described and represented in Figures 63, 63, 64, and 65.
And, ninthly, the methods of constructing fastenings for stocks, herein-
before described and represented in Figures 79 and 80 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Fielding Empson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-four.
JOHN FIELDING (L.S.) EMPSON.
Extraordinary in Chancery.
JOHN FIELDING (L.S.) EMPSON.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Eleventh day of July, in
the year above mentioned, the aforesaid John Fielding Empson came before
our Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute in that case made and provided.
Tanelled the Thist

page_text: the Matter of a Patent granted to JOHN FIELDING EMPSON, of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer, for
"Certain Improvements in the Construction and Manufacture of
Buttons and other Fastenings for Dress," bearing date at West-
minster, the Sixteenth day of January, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-four, in the seventh year of the reign of Her most
Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, to which Letters Patent a
Specification has been duly inrolled: Whereas, by Indenture of
Assignment, bearing date the Fifteenth day of September, One.
thousand eight hundred and forty-five, for the consideration therein
mentioned, the said Letters Patent, and all rights and privileges
conferred thereby, were assigned to John Aston, of Birmingham, in
the county of Warwick, Button Maker.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed
to be entered by the Assignee of the said Letters Patent, according to the
Statutes in that case made and provided.
I, the said John Aston, since the date of such Assignment, have found that
the parts of the Invention which are claimed by the first, second, third, fifth,
and sixth claiming clauses near the end of the said Specification have not
come into public use to any considerable extent, and that they are not, there-
fore, of that degree of utility as would make it desirable to retain the same.
For which reason I wish to disclaim, and I do hereby disclaim, all those parts
of the said Specification which describe and claim the first, second, third, fifth,
and sixth parts of the said Invention.
And I, the said John Aston, since the date of the said Assignment, have
been advised that there is some doubt whether that part of the said Invention
which is claimed in the fourth claiming clause by the following words near the
end of the said Specification, videlicet, "The construction of sewn-through
buttons, with a woven fabric in the centre, and metallic edges," was new at
the date of the said Letters Patent; for which reason I wish to disclaim, and
do hereby disclaim all that part of the Specification which describes and
claims buttons made according to Figures 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the
Drawings.

page_text: And I, the said John Aston, since the date of the said Assignment, have
been advised that the part of the said Invention which is claimed in the fourth
claiming clause by the following words near the end of the said Specification,
videlicet, "Also the construction of sewn-through buttons, covered on the edge
and face with suitable fabric, and having metallic backs, as herein-before
described," though a valuable improvement over some buttons previously sold
by the Patentee, the same does not possess that degree of novelty as would
support a Patent; for which reason I wish to disclaim, and I do hereby disclaim,
that part of the Specification which describes and claims the construction of
sewn-through buttons covered at the edge and face with suitable fabric, and
having metallic backs. And, in order to make sense of the remainder of the
said fourth claiming clause, after the parts above disclaimed are struck out, I
substitute the Figure 8 for the second Figure "3" in Figure "33," so that it
will read "Figures 38 to 46" inclusive.
And I, the said John Aston, since the date of the said Assignment, have
discovered that those parts of the said Invention which are described with
reference to Figures 67 A, 69, 70, 71, 72, and 73, of the Drawings, and
claimed in the seventh claiming clause near the end of the said Specification,
are not useful, for which reason I wish to disclaim, and I do hereby disclaim,
all parts of the said Specification which describe and claim the same; and also
for the same reason I disclaim all parts of the said Specification which describe
and claim the construction of flexible eyes or loops of braid, gymp, silk,
caoutchouc, or other flexible substance or materials, both separately and
combined with any description of hook.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Aston, have hereunto set my band
and seal, this Thirtieth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
To the Clerk of the Patents of England.
This is to certify that John Aston, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Button Maker, Assignee of Letters Patent granted to John Fielding
Empson, of Birmingham, in the said County of Warwick, Manufacturer, has
applied to me for leave to enter with you the above-written Disclaimer and
Memorandum of Alteration of certain parts of the Specification of the said
Letters Patent granted to him, the said John Fielding Empson, under the
Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland, dated the Sixteenth day of January,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-four; and on considering the same,I
directed him to advertise his said application in the London Gazette, and in

page_text: the Times, and in Aris's Birmingham Gazette newspapers; and such adver-
tisements having been duly made in the said London Gazette, and in the
Times, and Aris's Birmingham Gazette newspapers, and no objection having
been made to the said application, I have accordingly granted leave to the
said John Aston to file his said Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alterations,
pursuant to the Statute passed in the 5th & 6th years of the reign of His late
Majesty, entitled "An Act to amend the Law touching Letters Patent for
Inventions.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirtieth day of January, in the
year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid John Aston came before our said Lady
the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Disclaimer and Memo-
randum of Alteration aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and
specified, in form above written. And also the Disclaimer and Memorandum
of Alteration aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made
for that purpose.
Enrolled the Sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and fifty-one.