Year: 1886

page_text: I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of 67 Strand, in the County of Middlesex Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a communication to me
from abroad by Ratcliffe Hicks, of New York in the United States of America,
Manufacturer, 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 an improvement in garters.
Hitherto in that type of garters adapted to partially embrace the leg, and by
their attachment to the stocking at two points a semicircumference, more or less,
apart, to draw the stocking into such close contact with the leg as to hold it in
position, a pair of shield pin clasps have been secured one at each end of an elastic
strap, or hook clasps have been permanently secured one at each end of an elastic
strap. Such constructions, have, however, been found somewhat objectionable,
because of the tendency of the clastic to gradually stretch and the clasps thereby
require to be attached too near together, and because of the many sizes of legs and
the different positions on the legs at which it was desirable to attach the garter,
there being no provision made for the ready taking up or lengthening of the
elastic straps.
The object of my present invention is to provide a garter which may be
attached to and detached from a stocking in an instant and which may be readily
adjusted in length to suit the size of the leg or to embrace as much or as little of
the leg as may be desired.
A further object is to provide a neat durable and inexpensive garter adapted to
the wants of the masses. With these ends in view my invention consists in
certain features of construction and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter
described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a view of the garter as it appears in
use. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view and Fig. 3 is a detached view of one of the
clasps.
A represents a short strap of elastic webbing or other suitable elastic material,
having its ends preferably, bound with narrow pieces of metal a crimped or
otherwise secured thereto. The ends might however be bound with fabric or
hemmed, or otherwise prevented from ravelling.
Each end of the elastic is provided with a sliding hook clasp constructed as
follows; four parallel bars B, C, D, E are united at their ends by bars F which

page_text: project a short distance toward the end of the strap A and are turned under
forming hooks f. The parallel bars B, C, D and E are located a short distance
apart leaving elongated slots b, c and d between them large enough to freely admit
the strap A.
The clasp is advantageously constructed by stamping or cutting it out of a thin
sheet of metal, leaving the projections on the ends sufficiently long to be sub-
sequently bent into the hooks f and its outer face may be ornamented and' its back
bar B cut in a neat attractive form.
The end of the strap A is passed up through the slot b over the bar C, down
through the slot o, under the bar D and up through the slot d. The grip which
the edges of the bars B, C, D and E have upon the strap A when the latter is
distended, is sufficient to hold the strap from slipping through the clasp, while,
when the strap is not under strain, it may be freely slipped through the clasp and
taken up or let out as may be desired.
Aside from the advantages derived from the adjustable clasps in shortening or
lengthening the distance between them, the projecting ends of the straps form a
very convenient hold for the thumb and finger in adjusting the garter to or
releasing it from the stocking.
For example, to adjust the strap, take an end between the thumb and finger of
each hand; and place the hooks of the clasps in contact with the stocking on each
side of the leg with the strap distended. As soon as the books catch let go the
ends, when the strap will contract drawing the stocking snugly against the leg and
holding it in position, but not stopping the circulation as is the case of an elastic
completely encircling the leg.
To release the garter, grasp the ends as above and distend it sufficiently to
release the hooks.
To further ensure a hold for the thumb and finger in adjusting the clasp when
the elastic is taken up so that its ends do not project far enough for a convenient
hold, the bar E is projected outwardly between the hooks f, and turned up a little
as shown at 6. This furnishes at all times a convenient hold in adjusting the
garter.
It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrange-
ment of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my
invention hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the construction herein
set forth, but
·
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.
1. In a garter, the combination with a strap, of a pair of clasps adjustably
secured one at each end of the strap each clasp having inwardly projecting rigid
hooks adapted to engage the stocking, substantially as set forth.
2. A garter clasp provided with a pair of hooks the outer end of the clasp being
extended beyond the hooks and turned up to afford a hole for the thumb and finger
in releasing and adjusting it, substantially as set forth.
D-11012 1