Improvements in Connections and Buckles for Braces and other like Dress Suspenders.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1886.
Complete Left, 7th Mar., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 7th Apr., 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Connections and Buckles for Braces and other
like Dress Suspenders.
I, JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS of Great Charles Street Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has reference to yielding connections for braces and other like
suspenders, and also to the buckles or means, whereby the length of a brace belt or
other suspender is adjusted.
The yielding connection consists essentially of a box or enclosure wherein a volute
or ribband spring is enclosed, and which said spring constitutes the means whereby
increased flexibility is imparted to the tab cords of a brace or other suspender.
In carrying out my invention, I take a suitably shaped box like carrier, the upper
part of which is connected by a hook like termination to a buckle secured to the
webbing or other material of the suspender, while the lower part of the said carrier
bracket is open, and through which the tab cords are allowed to work; and within
the middle of the said box bracket, an axis is situated upon which a plate or disc with
a sleeve axis rotates; and to the said sleeve, the inner or inside end of a volute spring
is connected. The other end of the volute spring is made hook like, and is connected
io a second plate or shallow box, wherein the volute spring is enclosed; so that the
cover of the box carries or is connected to the inner end of the spring, while the box
is connected to the outer end, with one tab cord connected to the box, and the other
tab cord connected to the plate.
By arranging the parts as described, the tab cords are allowed to yield independent
of each other, or they yield collectively as the case may be, on downward pressure
being applied; thus on the pulling of one tab cord, the plate or box carrying the
spring is moved in one direction upon its supporting axis, while the pulling of the
other tab cord moves the plate or box in the other direction, and by the separate or
combined movements described, the volute spring is compressed or its coils closed
upon each other.

page_text: A stop limits the motion of the plates, which thus determines the give and take of
the connection on the change of posture of the wearer.
The tab cords pass around or are drawn against sheave pulleys or runners situated
at the lower open end of the bracket carrier.
Instead of a single spring, a double spring may be employed if necessary, in which
case the tab cords may be directly connected to the ends of the springs, instead of to
carrying plates.
The buckle connection consists essentially of a rectangular hollow frame or plate
through which the webbing or other material passes and is secured.
Upon the front side of the buckle frame, which has an attachment bar at its lower end,
a lever is pivoied about its middle, the upper end of which is made in the form of a
presser plate, while the lower end is made in the form of hooked prongs depending
downwards. The hooked end of these prongs pass through slits or piercings in the
buckle frame, to admit of their pointed ends penetrating the webbing or other
material of the brace or suspender.
A flat or other spring is disposed between the underside of the presser part of the
lever and the frame, so as to automatically bring the points of the prongs up to their
work.
In adjusting the buckle connector in an upward direction upon a brace web, it is
only necessary to slide the said buckle into the desired position, but when it is required
to be adjusted in the reverse direction, the presser end of the lever is required to be
compressed, so as to turn it upon its joint or fulcrum centre, in order to take the
points of the hooked ended prongs from out of the material of the brace. On ceasing
to press the said pusher end, the spring at its back automatically forces the points of
the prongs into the brace material, thereby holding the buckle connection in the
desired position.
JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS.
By Henry Skerrett,
8, Livery Street, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Connections and Buckles for Braces and other
like Dress Suspenders.
I, JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS of Great Charles Street Birmingham in the County
of Warwick, Manufacturer, 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 has reference to yielding connections for braces and other like sus-
penders, and also to the buckles or means, whereby the length of a brace, belt or
other suspender is adjusted.
The yielding connection consists essentially of a box or enclosure, wherein a volute
or ribband spring is enclosed, and which said spring constitutes the means whereby
increased flexibility is imparted to the tab cords of a brace or other suspender.
In carrying out my invention, I take a suitably shaped box like carrier, the upper
part of which is connected by a hook like termination, to a buckle secured to the
webbing or other material of the suspender, while the lower part of the said carrier
bracket is open, and through which the tab cords are allowed to work; and within
the middle of the said box bracket, an axis is situated, upon which a plate or disc with a
sleeve axis rotates; and to the said sleeve, the inner or inside end of a volute spring
is connected. The other end of the volute spring is made hook like, and is connected
to a second plate or shallow box, wherein the volute spring is enclosed; so that the
cover of the box carries or is connected to the inner end of the spring, while the box
is connected to the outer end, with one tab cord connected to the box, and the other
tab cord connected to the plate.
By arranging the parts as described, the tab cords are allowed to yield independent
of each other, or they yield collectively as the case may be, on downward pressure
being applied thus on the pulling of one tab cord, the plate or box carrying the
spring is moved in one direction upon its supporting axis, while the pulling of the
other tab cord moves the plate or box in the other direction, and by the separate or
combined movements described, the volute spring is compressed or its coils closed
upon each other.
A stop limits the motion of the plates, which thus determines the give and take of
the connection on the change of posture of the wearer.
The tab cords pass around or are drawn against sheave pulleys or runners, situated
at the lower open end of the bracket carrier.
Instead of a single spring, a double spring may be employed if necessary, in which

page_text: case, the tab cords may be directly connected to the ends of the springs, instead of
to carrying plates.
The buckle connection consists essentially of a rectangular hollow frame or plate,
through which the webbing or other material passes, and is secured.
Upon the front side of the buckle frame, which has an attachment bar at its lower
end, a lever is pivoted about its middle, the upper end of which is made in the form
of a presser plate, while the lower end is made in the form of hooked prongs
depending downwards. The hooked ends of these prongs pass through slits or
piercings in the buckle frame, to admit of their pointed ends penetrating the webbing
or other material of the brace or suspender.
A flat or other spring is disposed between the underside of the presser part of the
lever and the frame, so as to automatically bring the points of the prongs up to
their work.
In adjusting the buckle connector in an upward direction upon a brace weh, it is
only necessary to slide the said buckle into the desired position, but when it is required
to be adjusted in the reverse direction, the presser end of the lever is required to be
compressed, so as to turn it upon its joint or fulcrum centre, in order to take the
points of the hooked ended prongs from out of the material of the brace. On ceasing
to press the said pusher end, the spring at its back automatically forces the points of
the prongs into the brace material, thereby holding the buckle connection in the
desired position.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the
manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in front elevation, a yielding brace connection and securing
buckle, constructed according to my invention. Figure 2 shows the same, with the
front plate removed, and the box like enclosure wherein the yielding appliance is
enclosed shown partly in section; that is, the front plate covering the means which
admit of extension, is partly broken away. Figure 2A represents a part of the same
upon an enlarged scale, in order to better exhibit the connections of the terminal ends
of the spring. Figure 3 is a vertical section on the dotted lines A B figure 1, and
figure 4 represents a like view to figure 2, but with the tab cords distended or drawn
out, and with the coils of the volute spring, compressed or drawn together. Figure 5
is a cross section upon the dotted lines CD figure 4, while figure 5A is an enlarged
section of the buckle part, on the dotted lines A B as before. Figure 6 are the buck
and front plates, or spring enclosing parts separately.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in figures 1 to 6.
a is a box or enclosing case, made up or composed of back and front plates a³ a³,
the former of which has a flange at its boundary edges, so that when combined withi
the other plate, a circular box or enclosure is formed, wherein the volute or ribband
spring is enclosed.
The outer and inner ends 623 of this said spring are hooked, and respectively
attached to the back and front plates or parts; that is, the inner hooked end ³ is
attached to, or hooked upon one of a series of standing up ears a, raised inwardly
from the metal of the back part a³, while the outer hooked end 2, is hooked upon a
terminal a of the flange of the front plate a². These front and back plates carry
short arms or snugs as, a²; a is carried by the plate a², and a is carried by the
plate aand to these short arms or snugs, the terminal ends of the tab cords d d are
connected. These plates aa³ which have independent action, turn upon a pivot e as
a centre, and which said pivot or cross pin is supported by side plates or by a framing
shaped from a single blank of sheet metal, and with the lower portion thereof,
shaped into a neck, convexed, which forms a guide or guides for the tab cords to
work against. The lower part of this framing, is secured by a rivet f³, while the
upper part is supported by the lower bar of the buckle frame g.
By arranging the parts of the yielding connection as described, the tab cords are
allowed to yield independent of each other, or they may yield collectively, according
to the varying movements, and posture of the wearer. Thus the pulling of one tab

page_text: cord, causes the plate to which it is attached, to rotate or turn around its pivot axis,
and compress or close up the coils of the spring accordingly. The pulling of both of
the tab cords, rotates the back and front plates in reverse directions, and compresses
or closes in the coils of the spring, to a double extent.
A stop limits the motion of the plates in an upward direction.
Figure 7 represents a modification, in which two springs and two independent
plates, and with the latter turning upon independent axes, are arranged side by side;
and which duplex parts are carried by a common supporting frame.
bare coiled
springs, ee are axes, upon which the plates a² a turn, and d d are the tab cords,
attached at their inner ends to the snugs a a7 as before.
Figure 8 represents in front elevation, partly in vertical section, another form of
my invention, in which a coiled spring is substituted for that of a volute spring, as
represented in the preceding arrangements; and which said figure 8 shows the
yielding connection in its normal state. Figure 9 represents the same with the spring
compressed, and figures 10 and 11 the front and back plates separately. a is the
enclosing box or case of the connection, consisting of the front and back plates a², a³,
wherein the coiled spring is enclosed, and which said spring has its abutments upon
the turned in ends a, a of the plates a² a³ so that the pulling of either or both of
the tabs dd, the coils of the spring are compressed between the turned in ends or
abutments a, a, as represented in figure 9. The other parts of the connection are the
same as already described.
:
The buckle connection consists of a rectangular frame or plate y, through which
the webbing, or the material of the brace is passed and is secured. is a bar, working
within end bearings, and carrying upon its underside downwardly directed tongues
or prongs and which said bar has an extended heel or presser plate 3, out of which,
a flat spring is formed, and which said spring, or the free end of which said spring,
bears upon the top of the metal of the buckle frame g; so that on pressure applied to
this plate by the thumb, the hooked ended tongues or prongs which pass through
piercings in the frame g, are taken out of position, when the web of the brace can
be adjusted, as may be required.
On ceasing to press the presser part, the tongnes are automatically engaged
or pressed into the web of a brace, so as to thereby secure the said brace in position.
Thus the buckle connection consists essentially of a lever tongue, carrying-bar,
pivoted at its ends, and pressed home or automatically pressed into position, by the
free of a flat spring.
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―
First. A yielding connection for braces and other like suspenders, consisting
essentially of a volute or evolved ribband spring, whose free outer and inner ends are
respectively connected to pivoted back and front plates, and between and within these
said plates, the spring is enclosed and works, and to which said plates, the tab cords
are respectively connected; so that on pressure being applied to one or other of the
cords, or to both of them, the plates are rotated in reverse directions, about a common
centre, so as to compress, or close up the coils of the spring, and allow the tab cords
to be distended in manner and for the purpose as described and set forth in figures 1,
2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 and 6 of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. A yielding connection for braces and other like suspenders, in which
two volute springs or two coiled springs, and two carrying plates are arranged side
by side, and with the tab cords of the connection respectively attached to each of the
plates aforesaid, substantially as described and set forth in figure 7.
Thirdly A yielding connection for braces and other like suspenders. Enclosing a
coiled spring or springs between abutments, shoulders or their equivalents, carried by
back and front enclosing plates, which have respectively connected to them, the tab
cords of a brace; so that on the pulling of either one, or the other, or both of the
said tab cords, the coiled spring or coiled springs thus enclosed, and confined between

page_text: end abutments, are compressed, so as to thereby produce a yielding connection,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described and set forth in figures 8, 9, 10
and 11.
Fourthly A brace or suspender buckle, consisting of a jointed or pivoted bar,
turning within a frame, and raised out of position, by an arm or extended upper part,
while the lower part or lower edge is provided with turned in and depending hooked
prongs or serrations, which when in use, grip or pierce the material of a brace or
suspender, in a reverse direction to the pull; and which said bar with its prongs and
releasing arm, is automatically taken into position by a spring, (preferably formed out
of the metal of the arm) interposed between the underside of the prolonged upper part,
and the frame, substantially as described and set forth.