Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan, 1888
Specification Accepted, 17th Feb., 1888
1, WILHELM GRIES, of Gummersbach, Khenish Prussia, Germany, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to a buckle or clasp for clamping girths, cloth strips, bands,
and the like.
The characteristic features of the improved buckle or clasp is its simplicity of con-
struction, and the security with which the strip to be held is clamped.
The said buckle or clasp substantially comprises a square frame consisting in most
cases of metal, which possesses a cross piece or bridge in the middle.
Against this
cross piece or bridge hears a flap which is pivoted upon a pin fitted to turn in the
lateral parts of the frame.
When in the tightly stretched state the said flap bears against the cross piece or
bridge, it clamps the strip, imparting thereto a twofold rectangular or approxi-
mately rectangular bend; this clamping of the strip is effected by the strip itself,
which in the tight stretching bears against the half of the flap on the other side of the
pin or pivot. When the strip becomes loose, the flap turns upon the pin or pivot,
and the clamping of the strip discontinues.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a view of the buckle or clasp in its closed position with a strip
inserted.
Figure 2 is a transverse section through the strip and buckle or clasp Figure 1.
and
Figure 3 a transverse section through the strip and buckle or clasp in its open
position.
A A' represents the frame of the buckle or clasp which is preferably made of iron,
steel or other metal, but which may be made of wood, horn, ebonite, or any other
suitable material. The two narrow sides of the buckle or clasp are connected by a
cross piece or bridge B which is preferably made integral with the frame. Between
this cross piece or bridge B and the front pari A¹ of the frame is inserted the flap CD,
which is provided with a hole laterally through which a pin E extends, and is

page_text: supported in the lateral parts of the frame so that the flap can easily turn upon or with
the pin.
The strip X to be clamped is introduced between the cross piece or bridge B and
the part of the flap; it is then passed below the front part 1 of the flap. The inter-
mediate space between B and C is about the same or only a little less than the
thickness of the strip. If when the strip is in the position shown in Figure 3 the
said strip X Y is drawn tight, the latter raises the part D of the flap, whereby
the other part is lowered and caused to approach the cross piece or bridge B; the strip
is then clamped between C and B, and is then caused to assume a twofold bend as
shown in Figure 2.
When the stretching of the strip is discontinued, the heavier front part D of the flap
drops downwards or can be easily pressed down, and if desired the position shown in
Figure 3 is easily obtained, whereby the strip becomes free.
•
The front end D of the flap can be provided with devices for preventing a complete
turn. This device will simply consist of a prolongation or inclined part which bears
against the front pin A of the frame and may be of various shapes or forms. 1 do
not wish to limit myself to the exact forms shown and described as it is evident that
these may be varied without departing from the nature of the said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is―
A buckle or clasp for securing cloth strips, girths, hands, or the like by means of a
flap CD fitted to turn upon a pin E, in a frame A A¹ having a cross piece or bridge B,
the strips XY being clamped between the cross piece or bridge B and the part C of
the flap by drawing the strip tight, the part D of the said flap being thereby
drawn into engagement with the frame A' as above described.
Dated this 13th day of January 1888
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.