Improvements in Fastenings or Clasps for Boots and other Articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fastenings or Clasps for Boots and other Articles.
We, VICTOR BERGMAN, of Mysia, in the Colony of Victoria, Wheelwright, and
WILLIAM GEORGE BOYLE, of Mysia, in the Colony of Victoria, aforesaid, Store-
keeper, 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; -
The object of this invention is to provide a fastening or clasp adapted to be
attached to boots, gloves corsets or other articles, and by which the wearer or user
may draw the same together quickly and easily when required, the parts then
retaining their closed position securely during ordinary use until purposely
expanded.
In the present improvements no spring is necessary and there is no loss of
efficiency by use. The fact that the edges of the articles cannot always be con-
veniently brought to the same distance apart when closed, is provided for by this
invention, and also the fact that it may be inconvenient to attach more than one
or either of the edges referred to permanently to the fastening.
To accomplish these objects certain combinations of a series of links or plates
which are hinged to one another so as to fold into particular positions are
necessary, and a certain construction of the links themselves as is next explained
by reference to the attached drawings.
In these drawings Figures 1 and 2 show in respective closed and expanded
positions, this fastening having its major or principal link apertured (that is with
an opening like the link of a chain) Figures 3 and 4 show the fastening in closed
and expanded positions respectively as attached to a shoe, the side links being
adjustable, adjustable links being applicable also to the form in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 5 is a view of the closed fastening in Figure 3, as seen from the front. Figure 6
illustrates by dotted lines how variations of the closure are effected. Figures 1 to 6
are in perspective. Figure 7 shows in plan view optional forms of the adjustable
side-link F, there being two free ends or points F which face either towards or
away from one another. Figures 8 and 9 show. plan views (in respective closed
and expanded positions) of a fastening which expands on one side only. Figure 10
is a closed fastening in side elevation having its side link fitted with an end hook.
Figure 11 is the fastening in Figure 9 in perspective but with an end hook.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the fastening in Figure 10 expanded.
The edges of the objects or sides of the garment to be drawn and retained close
together are marked A and B respectively. The arrows C indicate the directions
in which the side links move towards one another in order to attain the closed
position. The arrows D (Figures 2, 10 and 11) indicate how the end hook or end
link must fold in closing, but such folding cannot be effected until after the side
link or links have been folded into closed position.
E is a plate or link constituting the main member of the fastening and herein-
after called the major link. It is rigid, and has hinged or pivoted to each, or one
end a side link or plate shown by F. The side links F when in closed position

page_text: may fall considerably short of one another or may nearly meet but do not quite
meet, whilst when the major link has a side link only at one side the latter may be
nearly as long as the major link. Each side link joining an apertured major link
is narrower than the latter, so as to pass through the same into the position seen
clearly in Figures 1 and 10, when assuming the closed position, the side links
in the said position having no liability to accidental unfastening, because they
have passed considerably beyond or above a line which would connect the ends of
the major link. Less usefully the side links assume like positions when the major
link is curved, recessed bent or hollowed-on the under side and left unapertured in
that case the side links being of wire preferably i.e. apertured. In practice strains
tending to draw apart the objects A and B will, instead of tending to expand the
closed fastening, simply cause the ends F2 of the side links to press outwardly
against the adjoining ends of the major link.
To make the fastening adjustable the side link F may have attached to it either
an end link H and staple I (engaging one or other of eyes or slots J in bedplate J!
affixed to the article, Figure 9) or end hook G engaging hole J in plate J. But
what constitutes a special feature of this invention is having one or both side links
adjustable as hereafter described. One adjustment is to suitably locate a staple or
staples as I relatively to a bed plate or bed plates as J¹ at the time of purchase (the
inner ends of the staple being kept from injuring the wearer by a tongue K Figure 3
or other means), as might be, done especially in the case of foot wear to ensure
fitting. But the adjustment specially preferred is to locate or adjust the side link
or links by connecting the same with the major link at the adjoining ends Fe of
such side link (Figures 4 and 6) so that the side links engage any of a series of
eyes sockets, catches or the like E' situated at or near the ends of the major link,
said eyes being suitably made either by bending over the ends, or bending the
sides of the latter link. When the sides are bent down the major link may be of
thin metal and yet rigid and said sides protect and hide the closed side links. In
addition to the above advantages it will be observed that the wearer by detaching
one side link can separate as widely as he pleases any articles to which the invention
is applied. Furthermore either side link can always be quickly replaced by another
of other length if more suitable.
The parts A and B are brought nearer or wider apart when closed as indicated
by the dotted lines in Figure 6 where on the left side link F is shown as it would
be when in the innermost of the eyes E¹, and on the other side as when adjusted in
the outermost eye. In this figure X is a line at the middle of the major link and Fi
are those ends of the side links which are not attached to the major link.
The bed plate J¹ has besides the functions above indicated another important
function in certain cases in which it is attached direct to an apertured major link
as will now be explained by reference to Figures 8 to 12 in which such an arrange-
ment occurs. By causing the edge J2 of the bed plate to project from its junction
with the major link some distance under the latter, that is to say so that when the
side link F is folded in, the edge J2 will come below the end Fi, the effect is that
the bed plate having one end Ja arranged as aforesaid and the other end J³
attached to an object to be fastened, will in practico assist to keep the fastening in
closed position in spite of forces that would expand the fastening if unprovided
with such an arrangement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is;
'
-
1. In a fastening for articles, an apertured major link, having pivotally con-
nected thereto a side link or links substantially as set forth.
2. In a fastening for articles, an apertured major link having pivotally connected
thereto a side link or links, and in combination with either or both side links an
end hook or end link substantially as set forth.

page_text: 3. In a fastening for articles, the combination of parts substantially as described
and illustrated by reference to Figures 1 and 2 consisting of an apertured major
link E, side links F adapted to pass through the said major link in closing and end
hook G and means for engaging the said hook with an article as A as set forth.
4. In a fastening a side link pivotally attached to a major link so as to be adapted
to close into a position above the line adjoining the major link ends substantially
as set forth.
5. In a fastening for articles; the combination with a major link, of an adjustable
and removable side link or links and eyes or the like on said major link for said
adjustment, substantially as set forth.
6. In a fastening for articles, the combination of parts substantially as illustrated
in Figures 3 to 7 consisting of a major link having at each end sockets for the
pivotal connection thereto of side links, removable side links, and means for the
connection of such side links to articles A and B as set forth.
7. In a fastening for articles, a major link having at one end a side link pivotally
connected thereto and at the other end a staple or like connection to a base plate,
in combination with a projection under the major link at the base plate end, the
side link being of such length as to be adapted when folded into its closed position
to have one end above the said projection as set forth.
8. In a fastening for articles the respective combinations of parts illustrated in
Figures 9 to 11 of the accompanying drawings for the purposes set forth and all
substantially as above described.
Dated this 7th day of Noramilan 1908
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.