IMPROVEMENTS IN SOLITAIRES, STUDS, AND OTHER FASTENINGS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Mac Millan, of the City of London, Manu-
facturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SOLITAIRES, STUDS, AND
OTHER FASTENINGS."
Sealed the 29th September 1877, and dated the 20th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Mac Millan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th July 1877.
ALEXANDER MAC MILLAN, of the City of London, Manufacturer.
MENTS IN SOLITAIRES, STUDS, AND OTHER FASTENINGS."
"
IMPROVE-
This Invention consists in improvements in solitaires and studs, and similar
fastenings, the object of the improvements being to render such articles more simple
and secure than hitherto.
The improvements are also applicable to fastenings for necklaces, bracelets, purses,
bags, satchels, and similar articles where a simple and secure fastening is
necessary.
For the sake of simplicity I will describe my Invention as applied to the con-
struction of an ordinary solitaire for wristbands.
The improved solitaire consists of two parts, the top part or front disc containing
a horizontal spring catch arrangement herein-after described, and the bottom part
or back disc carrying the stem which is formed with a groove near its upper end,
into which takes the catch on the top part of the solitaire herein-before referred to.
The top part of the solitaire is formed of a shell of suitable metal. To a plate
fixed in the said shell I adapt my improved horizontal spring catch movement,
which consists of a curved steel spring, one end of which is screwed or rivetted to
the plate, and the other end is formed with a projecting piece forming a catch,
shaped so as to fit into the herein-before described groove in the stem of the bottom
part or back disc of the solitaire. To the said catch I pivot a push piece for
opening and closing the solitaire. This push piece consists of a steel ring having a
projecting arm, the end of which passes through a slot in the edge of the shell of
the solitaire. The back part of the shell of the solitaire is formed with a hole in
the centre, through which passes the grooved end of the stem.

page_text: I sometimes form the stem of the solitaire hollow so that it may fit over a spring
snap on the top part of the solitaire, and I provide a push piece, such push piece
being fixed when the solitaire is closed by means of a sliding bolt or key operated
from the periphery of the top part of the solitaire.
'
"
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Mac Millan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
January 1878.
ALEXANDER MAC MILLAN, of the City of London, Manufacturer. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SOLITAIRES, STUDS, AND OTHER FASTENINGS."
This Invention consists in improvements in solitaires and studs, and similar
fastenings, the object of the improvements being to render such articles more simple
and secure than hitherto.
The improvements are also applicable to fastenings for necklaces, bracelets,
purses, bags, satchels, and similar articles where a simple and secure fastening is
necessary.
For the sake of simplicity I will describe my Invention as applied to the con-
struction of an ordinary solitaire for wristbands.
The improved solitaire consists of two parts, the top part or front disc containing
a horizontal spring catch arrangement herein-after described, and the bottom part
or back disc carrying the stein, which is formed with a groove near its upper
end; into which takes the catch on the top part of the solitaire herein-before
referred to.
But to make my Invention better understood I will proceed to describe the same
by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which,-
Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved solitaire; Figure 2, plan of the same;
Figure 3, plan of the under side of the same.
Figure 4, elevation of the top part of the solitaire; Figure 5, plan of the under
side of the same.
Figure 6 elevation, and Figure 7 plan of the bottom part of the solitaire.
Figure 8, plan shewing the interior mechanism of the top part of the solitaire,
the back plate being removed.
Figure 9, section on line A, B, Figure 8, with the bottom part of the solitaire
applied thereto.
Figures 10 and 11, detached views of the push piece and the spring catch
respectively.
Similar letters in all the Figures represent similar parts.
The top part of the solitaire consists of a shell a of metal or other suitable
material. To a plate 6 fixed in the said shell I adapt my improved horizontal
spring catch movement, which consists of a curved steel spring (Figure 11), one
end d of which is screwed or rivetted to the plate b, the other end being formed with
'a projecting piece e forming a catch, shaped so as to fit into the groove fin the stem g
of the bottom part or back disc h of the solitaire. To the said catch I pivot at i the
push piece; this push picce consists of a ring & having a projecting arm j, the end.
of which passes through a slot in the edge of the shell a of the solitaire, as shewn
in Figures 1, 3, 5, 8, and 9. The centre of the back part of the shell of the
solitaire is formed with a boss m having a holen, through which passes the grooved

page_text: end
of the stem g, the said end being tapered off to allow of it easily taking
into the catch e.
From this construction of a solitaire it will be seen that if the stem g be passed
through the button-holes of the wristband to be fastened, and the top part of the
solitaire be pushed on the same, the conical end of the stem pressing against the
edge of the catch e of the spring will force the same outwards until the groove f
coincides with the said catch, when the pressure on the spring being relieved, the
catch will take into the said groove as shewn in Figure 9, and firmly hold the two
parts of the solitaire together.
To unfasten or separate the two parts of the solitaire it is merely necessary to
press the projecting end j of the push piece, so as to remove the catch out of the
groove f, and thus allow of the top part of the solitaire being removed or with-
drawn from the stem g.
I sometimes form the end of the stem straight, as shewn in Figure 12, instead
of tapering it as shewn in Figure 6, in which case it will be necessary to press in
the push piece when fastening the two parts together, as well as when unfastening
the same.
It should be observed that when the two parts are fastened together the boss m
forms a bearing for the stem g and keeps it firm.
In some cases I apply a key or bolt, which slides in the shell of the solitaire for
the purpose of preventing the solitaire being opened or closed until the key or bolt
is drawn out.
The modifications necessary to adapt my improvements for other fastenings (such
as necklaces, bracelets, purses, bags, satchels, and similar articles) are so obvious as
to need no explanation.
In those solitaires which are formed with a hollow stein for fitting over a V spring
snap, I provide a bolt or key sliding in the shell of the solitaire, the inner end of
the bolt or key passing into the space between the two arms of the snap, thereby
preventing the solitaire being opened or closed until the said key or bolt is drawn
from between the arms of the snap.
Having thus described my Invention and the manner of performing the same,
what I claim is,-
Firstly. The general arrangement and construction of solitaires (applicable also
to studs and other fastenings), substantially as herein-before described, and repre-
sented in the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. The construction and employment in solitaires, studs, and other
fastenings of the spring catch and push piece in combination with the grooved stem,
arranged and operating substantially as herein-before described, and represented in
the accompanying Drawing.
Thirdly. The application to solitaires of a sliding bolt or key as and for the
purposes described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Mac Millan, have hereto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
ALEXANDER MAC MILLAN. (L.S.)