AN IMPROVED SLIP BUCKLE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Reginald Hay Wilkins, of King's Arms Yard, in the
A
City of London, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SLIP BUCKLE."
communication from abroad by Colonel Henry St. Clair Wilkins, residing at
Belgaun, in the Presidency of Bombay, in the Empire of India.
Sealed the 1st May 1877, and dated the 15th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Reginald Hay Wilkins at
"AN
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th January 1877.
REGINALD HAY WILKINS, of King's Arms Yard, in the City of London.
IMPROVED SLIP BUCKLE." A communication from abroad by Colonel Henry
St. Clair Wilkins, residing at Belgaun, in the Presidency of Bombay, in the Empire
of India.
This Invention relates to the construction of an improved slip buckle, the same
being especially applicable to be used in connection with traces, pole-chains, pole-
pieces, and straps forming parts of harness, and allowing the tongue of the buckle
to be readily removed or freed from the trace, chain-piece, or strap notwithstanding
any amount of weight or pressure which may be exerted on the former. The
desired effect results from the principle upon which the Invention is based, that is
to say, of allowing the tongue of the buckle to slip through the buckle frame, and
thus releasing the connecting strap or fastening and setting it free to slide off the
tongue.
The buckle frame is constructed of the usual form, one end of the tongue being
connected with one portion of the frame by means of a loop or ring so as to move
thereon. The opposite part of the frame has a portion thereof removed to allow
of the end or point of the tongue passing through the same.
At the same
part of the buckle-frame is a plate (having a lever attached thereto) which turns on
a pivot in the same in a plane perpendicular to the direction of pressure on the
buckle frame. The end of the tongue rests upon the plate when the latter is in its
normal position, and is thus prevented from passing through the buckle-frame.
The plate is held in position by means of a spring catch which is pivoted to the
lever, and which takes into a suitable recess formed in the buckle-frame for that
purpose.

page_text: When it is desired to release the tongue, and to allow it to pass through the
buckle frame, the lever catch is released by depressing the spring, and the plate
raised by means of the lever, when the buckle-tongue is left free to pass through
the buckle frame, and the strap or fastening is readily removed therefroin.
The buckles may be constructed of any suitable kind of metal, and the plate may
be arranged to slide to the right or left, as may be desired.
It will be manifest that the buckles so constructed, as herein-before described,
are applicable to all cases in which it is desired to detach straps, chains, or
fastenings with ease and rapidity, such as horse traces, and the straps or chains or
fastenings from the collars of the horses to the end of the carriage pole.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Reginald Hay Wilkins in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th July
1877.
"AN
REGINALD HAY WILKINS, of King's Arms Yard, in the City of London.
IMPROVED SLIP BUCKLE." A communication from abroad by Colonel Henry
St. Clair Wilkins, residing at Belgaun, in the Presidency of Bombay, in the Empire
of India.
This Invention relates to the construction of an improved slip buckle, the same
being especially applicable to be used in connection with traces, pole chains, pole
pieces, and straps, forming parts of harness, and allowing the tongue of the buckle
to be readily removed or freed from the trace, chain piece, or strap notwithstanding
any amount of weight or pressure which may be exerted on the former. The de-
sired effect results from the principle upon which the Invention is based, that is to
say, of allowing the tongue of the buckle to slip through the buckle frame, and
thus releasing the connecting strap or fastening and setting it free to slide off the
tongue.
The buckle frame is constructed of the usual form, one end of the tongue being
connected with one portion of the frame by means of a hoop or ring so as to move
thereon. The opposite part of the frame has a portion thereof removed to allow of
the end or point of the tongue passing through the same. At the same part of the
buckle frame is a plate (having a lever attached thereto) which turns on a pivot in
the same in a plane perpendicular to the direction of pressure on the buckle frame.
The end of the tongue rests upon the plate when the latter is in its normal position,
and is thus prevented from passing through the buckle frame. The plate is held in
position by means of a spring catch which is pivoted to the lever, and which takes
into a suitable recess formed in the buckle frame for that purpose.
When it is desired to release the tongue and to allow it to pass through the
buckle frame, the lever catch is released by depressing the spring, and the plate
raised by means of the lever, when the buckle tongue is left free to pass through
the buckle frame, and the strap or fastening is readily removed therefrom.
The buckle may be constructed of any suitable kind of metal, and the plate may
be arranged to slide to the right or left, as may be desired.
It will be manifest that the buckles so constructed as herein-before described are
applicable to all cases in which it is desired to detach straps, chains, or fastenings
with ease and rapidity, such as horse traces, and the straps or chains from the
collars of horses to the end of the carriage pole.
I will now proceed to refer to the annexed Drawings, from which the nature of
the said Invention will be more clearly understood.
Figure 1 shews a buckle with the tongue and plate in their normal position;
Figure 2 is a similar view of a buckle (having loops at the respective sides when
the buckle is employed in connection with traces).
Figure 3 shews the plate removed so as to allow the tongue to pass through as
before mentioned; a is the plate; b, the lever; c, the spring; and d, the catch.

page_text: Figures 4 and 5 respectively shew the catch and the recess in the end of the
buckle frame.
Having thus declared and ascertained the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention
secured by the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the construction
of slip buckles, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described and
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Reginald Hay Wilkinson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
RICHARD HAY WILKINS. (L.S.)