An Improved Book Mark and Paper Clip.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 7th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 7th Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Book Mark and Paper Clip.
WILLIAM SEYMOUR 273 Borough Road Birkenhead Cheshire Journalist
JAMES HENRY WINTERBOTTOM of 56 Egerton Street, New Brighton, Cheshire
Wholesale Newsagent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists in making a spring clip out of strips of spring metal or
other substances, such as horn, vulcanite, & other similar materials capable of
forming when shaped & arranged as herein described a spring clip that can be
used as a book mark, paper clip, or for other such purposes.
In carrying out this invention I take strips of thin metal by preference, and press
out or in other ways shape to the dimensions of about half an inch wide and
two and a half inches long, the one end is of a triangular shape with apex at
extremity which is made to have a slight upward curve the other extremity
is rounded & remaining flat. I then bend the strip upon itself, so as to cause
the triangular end to press upon the rounded end with an amount of spring pressure
sufficient to hold a thin sheet of paper firmly, yet at the same time permit its easy
introduction & withdrawal.
In bending the strip I prefer to make the bending point nearest the triangular
end so that the rounded end will slightly project beyond the triangular end the
former being the longer of the two lips of the clip. This increased length of the
under lip combined with the upward curved extremity of the upper lip, are
the leading features of this invention, and renders the insertion and withdrawal
of the leaves of a book or sheets of paper or other similar materials exceedingly
easy.
Should it be found desirable to increase the grip on the paper, the upper surface
of the under lip can be roughened by file marks or finely corrugated.
The advantages of this improved clip when used as a book mark is that the book
can be closed & carried in the pocket or placed away with the marker in position,
without any chance of its falling out or injuring the leaves in any way from pressure
or otherwise, further in reading there is no necessity to change the marker from
leaf to leaf as you read on, for when once fixed succeeding leaves can be instantly
glided into the clip in the mere act of turning them over.
Dated this Twelfth day of October 1892.
WILLIAM SEYMOUR.
JAMES HENRY WINTERBOTTOM.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Book Mark and Paper Clip.
WILLIAM SEYMOUR 273 Borough Road Birkenhead Cheshire Journalist
JAMES HENRY WINTERBOTTом 56 Egerton Street, New Brighton, Cheshire
Wholesale Newsagent, 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 consists in making a spring clip out of strips of spring metal
or other substances such as horn, vulcanite & other similar materials, capable of
forming when shaped & arranged as herein described, a spring clip that can be
used as a book mark paper clip or for other such purposes.

page_text: In carrying out this invention I take strips of thin metal by preference, & press
or in other ways shape to the dimensions of about half an inch wide, & two &
a half inches long, the one end is of a triangular shape with apex at extremity,
which is made to have a slight upward curve, the other extremity is rounded &
remaining flat. Figure one shews clearly the details here described. I then bend
this shaped metallic strip, so as to cause the triangular end to press upon the
rounded end, with an amount of spring pressure sufficient to hold a thin sheet of
paper firmly, yet at the same time permit its easy introduction & withdrawal; in
beuding the strip I prefer to make the bending point nearest the triangular end,
so that the rounded end will slightly project beyond the triangular end, the
former thus being the longer of the two lips of the clip. Figure 2 shews the
strip bent as just described. This increased length of the underlip, combined
with the upward curved extremity of the upper lip, are the leading features of
this invention, and renders the insertion and withdrawal of the leaves of a book or
sheets of paper or other similar material exceedingly easy. Figure 3 is a sectional
view of the improved clip, shewing the character of the bend, also the upward
curve of triangular end, with the difference in the lengths of the two lips of
the clip.
Should it be found desirable to increase the grip on the paper, the upper surface
of the under lip can be roughened by file marks, or finely corrugated.
The advantage of this improved clip when used as a book mark, is that the
book can be closed & carried in the pocket, or placed away with the marker in
position, without any chance of its falling out or injuring the leaves in any way
from pressure or otherwise, further in reading there is no necessity to change the
marker from leaf to leaf as you read on, for when once fixed succeeding leaves can
be instantly glided into the clip in the mere act of turning them over.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not
limit myself to exact shape herein described, or proportions thereof, they may be
circular, oval, rectangular, or otherwise shaped, or the extremities of the upper &
under lips may be triangular, rounded square, or otherwise shaped, but what I do
claim is
First. The use of thin spring metal or other suitable materials as suggested, in
the formation, of a spring clip as described suitable for book marks or paper
clips, & permitting by the spring rebound of the substance, not only the necessary
grip on the leaf, but the ready insertion & withdrawal of a series of leaves or
papers.
Secondly. I claim the curving of the upper lip of the clip to facilitate the entrance
of the leaves or papers.
Thirdly. The combination of this curved upper lip with the increased length of
the lower lip with the same object of facilitating the entrance of leaves & papers
within the clip.
Dated this Third day of December 1892.
WILLIAM SEYMOUR.
JAMES HENRY WINTERBOTTOM.