AN IMPROVED SPRING-LOCK BUTTON FASTENER
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1886.
Complete Left, 27th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 30th Aug., 1887.
I, JOSEPH HAYWARD of Croft House, Stocksbridge in the County of Yor
Umbrella Frame Maker do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for AN
IMPROVED SPRING-LOCK BUTTON FASTENER to be as follows:-
My invention has for it object to produce a simple and reliable spring fastener for
securing buttons having shanks, and other shanked articles; it is especially suitable
for attaching boot buttons.
The fastener is made of wire, (preferably of steel wire hardened and tempered when
made into shape). I take a short and suitable length of wire, and form a small circle,
leaving a surplus of material, in the shape of two long ends; these ends are turned
back across the centre of the circle, and are bent or depressed in the centre to
receive and retain the shank of the button. The extreme ends are slightly hooked
so as to fit against and clasp the wire circle, and the article is then hardened and
tempered.
When the article is made and finished in the manner described, the two ends of the
wire forming a tongue press tightly against the opposite side of the wire circle, and
require considerable force to separate them. This is readily done by using a tapered
pin which I call a key.
When the fastener is required for use and the button shank is projecting through
the material to which it is to be secured, the pin or key is passed through the bend or
depression before mentioned, and the "circle" and by forcing it forward, the tongue
is raised from the circle, and the end may be passed through the shank of the button.
When the pin is withdrawn the tongue resumes its normal position against the
circle preventing any possibility of the fastener separating from the button.
This construction of a circular fastener with a crossbar, gives it great strength and
very good holding power against the material.
The Tongue or crossbar may be made from the centre of the length of wire if
preferred, instead, of from the ends.
Dated the 4th day of November 1886.
ROBT. F. DRURY,
Agent for the Applicant,

page_text: An Improved Spring-lock Button Fastener.
I, JOSEPH HAYWARD of Croft House, Stocksbridge, in the County of York,
Umbrella Frame Maker, 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:—
My invention has for its object to produce a simple and reliable spring-fastener
for securing buttons with shanks or other shanked articles; it is especially suitable
for attaching boot buttons.
The accompanying sheet of drawings shows two methods of constructing the
fastener, the same letters of reference indicating the same parts in any of the
figures.
Fig. 1. plan of fastener, with the tongue or crossbar made from the centre of wire.
Fig. 2. Edge view of same.
Fig. 3. A similar fastener, with tongue made from the ends of the wire.
Fig. 4. Edge view of same.
Fig. 5. Edge view with tongue raised.
I make the fastener of wire, preferably of steel wire, so that when finished it can
be hardened and tempered.
I take a short or suitable length of wire and form into a circle A, the said circle
may be made from the central portion of the length of wire, or by forming the ends
of the wire into two half circles; in either case a surplus of wire is left which is
made into a double bar or tongue B, having a curve, bend or loop C, in the centre to
receive the shank of the button, and retain it in position.
The extreme end D, of the tongue B is curved to fit upon, and partly round the
circle A, upon which it presses, and when the fastener is thus made it is hardened and
tempered by suitable means.
Considerable force is now required to raise the tongue B, from the circle A, but
this may be readily accomplished by inserting the end of a tapered pin into the
loop C, and forcing it forward; when the end of the tongue is so raised it can be
passed through the shank of the button, and the pin be withdrawn.
The withdrawal of the pin allows the tongue ito spring back to its normal position
upon the circle, and effectually prevents the separation of the button from the
fastener.
This construction of a circular fastener with a crossbar or tongue, constitutes a
combination of great strength, and good holding power against the material to which
the button is secured.
Instead of making the fastener from wire as before described, and which I prefer
to do as giving the best result; I may if desirable make it by punching a suitable
blank from sheet steel (or other suitable metal) and then bend and press it to the
desired shape.

page_text: Thus, for example, I punch out an oval ring with a tongue, fast at one of its ends
and loose at the other, stretching across its longest diameter; then by reducing the
oval ring to a circle, the tongue is found of sufficient length to have the loop C, and
the bent end D, formed upon it as before described.
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 :-
1-The construction of a spring fastener from wire or sheet metal, for the purpose
specified and substantially as described and shown.
2-A spring fastener, consisting of a circle or other like form A, and a tongue B,
provided with a loop C, for the purpose specified, and substantially as described and
shown.
ROBT. F. DRURY,
Agent for the Applicant.