Improvements in Clasps for Suspenders.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1890-Accepted, 27th Sept., 1850
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Clasps for Suspenders.
We CHARLES ROBERT HARRIS and WILLIAM SILVERMANN both of Williamsport in
the County of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Manufacturers, 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 an improvement in clasps for suspenders and like articles.
Heretofore the metal loop carried by the button hole strap, has been secured within
a leather or fabric loop attached by threads to the main suspender straps. Such a
construction is defective in that the contact of the leather or fabric with the metal
loop, soon causes the former to split or tear at the point of contact thus rendering the
suspenders worthless.
The object of my invention is to provide an ornamental metal clasp for securing
together the rear ends of the main suspender straps and also form a solid and
substantial bearing for the loop carried by the button hole strap.
With these ends in view this invention consists in the parts and combination of
parts as will be more fully described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a view of the rear end of the main-suspender straps showing the invention
applied thereto.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the clasp partly opened.
Fig. 3 is a view of the blank before bending.
Fig. 4 is a view in transverse section through the strap and clasp, and
Fig. 5 is a view of the reverse of Fig. 1.
A represents the main suspender straps and B the button hole straps the latter
being provided at their upper ends with a clasp D carrying the loop E. This loop can
be oblong and angular in shape as shown, or it may be circular or any other convenient
shape, and is loosely mounted on the lower end of the metallic clasp F which latter
forms the subject matter of the present invention.
This clasp F, when applied to the straps is V-shaped, with straight sides and lower
end but it is evident that the lower end could be rounded or curved to suit the taste
of the user or the convenience of the manufacturer. The blank G from which the
clasp is formed, is struck up from suitable sheet metal, and is provided on its sido
edges with teeth a and on its extreme lower edge or tongue d with teeth b. The
blank is also V shaped, and is provided on opposite sides near its lower end with
notches or cut away sections c which latter permit the end and sides to be bent
over toward the body of the clasp or on to the main strap A and also afford openings
for the loop E. The blank G when constructed with an open front as shown in the
drawings, is bent at or near its center over onto itself and the teeth a and b are bent
inwardly at right angles to the body of the clasp so as to enter and engage the strap A.
The clasp instead of being constructed with an open front as shown in Figures 1 to 5
inclusive may have a closed front or it may have a skeleton or open work form; with
either of these latter constructions the blank instead of being bent centrally as before
referred to, would of course be bent in lines parallel or approximately parallel with
its side edges and bottom sufficient material being turned under to overlap the side
edges of the straps A.
With the open front clasp the inner and outer edges of both sides thereof are
provided with teeth, while the closed fronts, the outer edges only are toothed.
Before the blank G is shaped, the loop E is placed on the lower end of tongue d
which latter is then turned to the position shown in Figure 2. The sides of the clasp
are then turned up as shown in said figure, against the side edges of the end section d
.

page_text: thereby locking the loop in place. When the blank is thus shaped, the two ends of
the straps A are placed in position between the teeth or under the teeth as the case may
be, and the section d forced against same, the teeth of said section penetrating both
straps. After section d has been forced into position, or simultaneously with the
forcing of said section against the straps, the side sections are also bent downwardly
onto the straps, thus completely and effectually locking the clasp to the straps and
securing the ends of the straps against separation or displacement. The end section
being below the side section is prevented from pulling out or releasing the loop, and
the clasp when in position not only forms a substantial connection between the main-
straps, but also forms a neat and ornamental finish to the lower ends of the main-straps.
It is evident that numerous slight changes in the construction of the clasp might be
resorted to without departing froin the spirit and scope of our invention and hence we
would have it understood that we do not limit ourselves to the exact construction
shown and described but consider ourselves at liberty to make such changes as fairly
fall within the spirit and scope of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1). A suspender strap clasp made of sheet metal and consisting of a body having
teeth for attaching it to the suspender strap and a hook shaped end for the attachment
of the loop of the button hole strap substantially as set forth.
2). A suspender strap clasp bent substantially as shown and provided with teeth for
engaging the main suspender straps, and with an upwardly turned lower end the
latter forming a bearing for the loop of the button hole-strap substantially as set forth.
3). The combination with main-straps, and button hole strap the latter carrying a
metal loop, of the clasp bent substantially as shown and provided at its side edges with
teeth for engaging the main straps and an upwardly turned lower end or tongue the
latter forming a bearing for the loop on the button hole strap, substantially as set
forth.
4). A clasp for suspenders consisting of a V-shaped metal plate provided on its side
edges with teeth and bent as shown, and also provided at its lower end with an
upwardly turned tongue the free end of which is also provided with teeth, substantially
as set forth.
eu is on day or
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicants.