Improvements in Fastening Devices for Lids of Baskets and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1888
Specification Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fastening Devices for Lids of Baskets and
the like.
I, JOSEPH DENT of 18 Nevill Street, Southport, in the County of Lancaster,
Basket 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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive spring device
for fastening the lids of baskets and the like.
It can be best described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1. represents in front elevation, one form of my invention as applied to an
ordinary basket and lid.
Figure 2. is a plan of same.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures. The basket A
and lid A are shown in dotted lines.
The fastening device consists essentially of two main parts, a spring catch B and a
hasp C, each of which is preferably made of a simple piece of stout wire suitably
bent. The catch B is attached to the front of the basket A or wicker work, preferably
by means of fine binding wire (but could be twisted in with the wicker work in
special cases), and is bent somewhat into the form of a U having, preferably, two
upwardly projecting limbs B' B'. The upper ends of each of these limbs stands up
somewhat above the basket lid A', being bent round in an outward direction so as to
form a cross piece or projection B2, having its lower edge perpendicular to the limb B
or slightly undercut.
The lower portion of the catch B' is bent into any ornamental shape, and is
fastened to the front of the basket, preferably to the outside thereof in any suitable
manner, such as by thin loops of wire as shown at bbb.
The wire forming the hasp C is bent about its middle into the form of an elongated
loop C, the free ends being bent into any suitable shape and secured to the basket
lid, preferably to the out side thereof by fastenings c c c, and in such a position that
the loop shall project (when the lid is closed), over the projections B2 of the
catch B. To fasten the basket, the limbs B' are pressed together and, while in this
position, the lid is closed, the projections B² passing through the loop of the hasp C.

page_text: When the pressure is removed, the limbs spring apart against the opposite ends of
the loop C, the projections B2 projecting over these ends. These projections thus
hold the lid securely down, as on any attempt being made to open it, they catch
against the upper side of the loop. To release the catch, the limbs are pressed together,
and the lid lifted.
In some cases (for instance on a large basket), two or more catches may be used,
in which case it may be found. convenient to provide the catches with only one
limb B, and the shape of loop C₁ may be modified accordingly.
It is not necessary even that the spring catch shall be of wire or even of metal, as
a stout wicker, with sufficient length to form a spring can project from the basket into a
loop, and can be entered into said loop and released by being forcibly bent back, its
own resilience bringing it into the normal position when released.
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
1st. The improved spring fastening for. baskets and the like, consisting of a catching
device B, having one or more flexible limbs B, each terminating in a projection, such
as B, and a hasp terminating in a loop, such as C₁, which is passed over the said
projection or projections and (when the fastening is closed), holds or catches on said
projection, substantially as described.
2nd. As a fastening for a basket lid or like article, a spring catch such as B, formed
of one piece of wire, combined with a hasp such as C, also formed of a single piece
of wire, substantially as described.