other like Dress Fasteners and Ornaments.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 28th June, 1887.
and other like Dress Fasteners and Ornaments.
I, GEORGE PRITCHARD of Crescent Parade Rhyl in the County of Flint, North Wales.
Manager of Works, 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 :-
This invention relates to what are commonly known as two part solitaires, consisting
essentially of a front part, and a back part; the one carrying a stem, and the other
carrying a tube or barrel, which fits upon the stem of the other part, on the said parts
being connected together for fastening.
My invention has for its object, to simplify the construction of the said fasteners, in
such a manner, that they are rendered far more efficient when in use, than those of the
ordinary kind.
In carrying out my invention, I will describe it in connection with a solitaire.
The front part of the solitaire consists of a hollow shell or body part, having directed
vertically from the middle of its underside, a solid axial stem, upon which a hollow
stem on the other or back part of the fastener, as hereinafter described, fits. This
solid stem is carried upon a base plate, secured to, and within the shell of the front
part as aforesaid, by any suitable means.
Within the front shell, and surrounding the solid axial stem as aforesaid, a heart
shaped spring is situated. The concavity of the top of which, is extended and directed
inwardly, into semi-circular spring clipping, or embracing semi-circular collars; and
it is by these semi-circular parts, that the two parts of the solitaire are secured
together.
The opening of the spring clipping parts from around the stem of the other part, is
effected by a side pusher.
The other part of the fastener consists of a convexed disc of sheet metal, having
upon its inside face, a centrally disposed tube, or hollow stem.
Instead of the clipping parts of the spring being opened out by a pusher, they may
be opened out, by a key like bit, on the end of the hollow stem as aforesaid.

page_text: I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the
manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and figure 2 is a vertical section of a solitaire made
according to my invention, the two parts being shown fastened together. Figure 3 is
a like' section as figure 2, but with the parts unfastened, and with the back or detach-
able part ready to be disconnected from the other or front part. Figure 4 is a plan
(partly in section) on the dotted lines A B figure 1, it shows the construction and
shape of the spring, and also its position with respect to the central stems of the
fastener, and further, it also shows the exact position of the pusher for the opening out
of the spring, when the one part of the solitaire requires to be released from the other.
Figure 5 shows a like plan as figure 4, but with the pusher separating the spring's
inwardly directed arms. Figure 6 is a base plate, figure 7 is a vertical section of the
same, figure 8 is the spring, and figure 9 is the back part of the solitaire separately.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in figures 1 to 9 both
inclusive.
a is the front part of the solitaire, consisting of a solid axial stem c, and stem carrying
plate ³; and which said plate secured in position, by studs or the like, on the inside of
the shell of the said part a, engaging within like gapped parts in the edges of the
plate. d is a heart shaped spring, made from steel wire, or cut out from sheet steel.
This spring consists of a bow d², inwardly directed arms d³, and semi-circular clipping
ends d', with inside inclined edges d³.
It is not absolutely necessary that edges of the semi-circular clipping arms, should be
inclined, as the inclined end of the tubular stem, will be sufficient for the opening out
of the arms, on the two parts of the solitaire being pressed together.
e is the position plate of the spring; this plate has a raised or table part e², around
the outer circumference or edge of which, the inside of the bow of the spring seats
itself, and thereby keeps the said spring, in its proper relative position, (central) with
respect to the other parts of the solitaire. g is a single pusher, with wedge shaped
sides which work between the insides of the arms of the spring; so that on the
pressing inwards of the said pusher, the inwardly directed portions of the springs are
opened out.
The said parts of the front as aforesaid, are secured in position within the shell,
by an underside covering plate f, pierced with a hole, through which the hollow
stem of the other part of the fastener, passes.
bis the other part of the fastener, consisting of a back 63, hollow stem 68, and inclined
front ended collar 4.
On connecting the parts a and b together, it is only necessary to pass the hollow
stem 6 of the one, upon the solid peg or stem c of the other, and on thus pressing the
two parts together, the spring arms d³ of the spring d, are thereby opened out, until
the shoulder of the collar 6, has passed the spring, when the clipping parts of the said
spring, return and come at the back of the said collar, thereby holding the front and
back parts of the solitaire' together.
To unfasten the solitaire, press inwardly the pusher 9, when the wedge or inclined
sides open out the inwardly directed arms of the spring, to an extent beyond the
size of the collar, when the said parts become released, and the parts admit of being
detached.
Figure 10 represents partly in section, and figure 11 in plan, a modification of the
solitaire hereinbefore described. In this arrangement, the pusher is dispensed with,
and the spring opened out by a foot or key bit on the end of the hollow stem.
a is the front part, and 6 is the back part; and of the said front part, c is the solid
peg or stem, d is the spring with spring arms or clipping parts d³, d', and e is the
spring holding plate, and is a back covering plate, with a key shaped hole in its
middle.
Of the back part 6; 6 is the back shell, 6' is a flat hollow stem, and 64 is a foot or
key at its end.
Figure 12 represents a plan of the solitaire unfastened, (with the back cut off at

page_text: the dotted lines E F) while the said figure 11, shows the same fastened. Figure 13
is an elevation of the back part separately, and figure 14 is a plan.
To connect the two parts a and b together, pass the hollow stem 63 of the one part,
(through the hole in the covering plate f) and upon the peg or solid stem c of the
other part, with a key end 64 in the position with respect to the spring, as represented
in figure 12; then partially rotate or turn either the back or front part, when the
arms of the spring d³, d are opened out, and the key or foot part gripped or held
between the inwardly directed arms of the spring, as represented at figure 11.
Although the fastening parts are shown in the front of the solitaire, yet the said
parts may be placed in the back, instead of the front.
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. The improvements in the fastening mechanism of solitaires and other like
dress fastenings, consisting of a spring d, having inwardly directed arms and clipping
parts d³, d, (with or without inside inclined edges do,) pusher g, and position plate e,
substantially as described and set forth in figures 1 to 9 both inclusive of the
drawings.
Secondly. Releasing the clipper arms, or the holding parts of solitaire or other
dress fastener mechanism, by an inclined wedge shaped pusher, which on being pressed
inwardly, forces the arm asunder, and releases the part to be unfastened, substantially
as described and set forth in figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Thirdly. Constructing and arranging the parts of two part solitaires, substantially
as described and set forth in figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings;
whereby one part is released and unfastened, by the pushing inwards of a side pusher
as set forth.
Fourthly. Releasing or securing the two parts, of a two part solitaire, or other
fastener, by means of a key like end 6, on the hollow stem of one part, engaging
between the inwardly directed arms of a spring, enclosed within. the case of the other
part; so that by partially rotating one or other of the two parts, they become fastened
or unfastened, substantially as described and set forth in the modification illustrated in
figures 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the drawings.
Did this The fourth day of May 1887