An Improved or" Extension-clasp" for Albums, Invoice-books, or other Books that are Subject to Periodic Augmentation in Bulk, as also for other Books and other Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1887.
Complete Left, 25th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 27th May, 1887.
An Improved or" Extension-clasp" for Albums, Invoice-books, or other
Books that are Subject to Periodic Augmentation in Bulk, as
also for other Books and other Purposes.
1 JOHN BALLANTYNE SMALL Book-keeper and Cashier residing at Seven Great
George Street Hillhead Glasgow in the County of Lanark North Britain do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
-
My invention has for its object the regulation of the normal strain on the boards or
covers of books that are subject to periodic augmentation in Bulk at whatever stage
of their impletion as also for other purposes.
Invoice-Books like Albums, it is known, increase in bulk day by day according to
the rate of impletion though in the former the bulk hears no comparison to that of
the latter. For holding invoices, vouchers or other important documents the bulk-
increase is variable, some books containing these valuable documents shewing an
augmentation of several inshes long before completion. Hitherto, these have been
tied together by means of leathern thongs or straps with bucles attached an operation
which at all times must necessitate a considerable loss of time in opening and
re-tying these books. This hourly operation of opening during the heated hours of
business, periods of the day when time is the least valueless all these valuable
periods occupied by clerks and other mercantile employees in a large commercial
establishment means the loss of hundreds of pounds annually. Wishing to
perceptibly minimise if not entirely abrogate this needless expenditure of time and
money (Time is money"!) in the commercial worold has been one of the objects of
my invention. As will be seen hereafter my invention regulates depth or bulk of an
album invoice-book or other bulk-increasing book when deplete or complete as at the
intermediate stages of impletion it having at all times a uniform strain on the boards
or covers thereby imparting a naturalness to the volume and at the same time guarding
unimpaired the contents of whatsoever nature they may be..
Briefly summarised, my invention consists of one or two ball-shaped fasteners
(according to the caprice of the manufacturer or the nature of the volume for which
it is intended) on the left-hand side of the volume and at the right-hand side of the

page_text: same there is the following apparatus for the regulation of the strain on the book's
depth or bulk.
(Firstly) The extension-clasp" consists of a triangle the base being attached to
the right-hand cover of the book and the apex or top towards the left-hand or clasping
side thereof.
At the base of the triangle there will be affixed a screw, bolt, or other contrivance
serving a like purpose at the upper or lower corner to contract or extend the lateral
arms of the triangle and at the apex thereof a contrivance of like nature for
extending outwards or bringing together the arms of the triangle forming the apex.
(Secondly) At the bottom or base of the triangle (when the book is unclosed)
there will be affixed a moveable or sliding bar sliding from the base towards the apex
in accordance with the tension put upon by the increasing contents of the volume
and to effect which with much greater facility a spring (spiral or otherwise) of
sufficient durability and strength for the work to be performed will therein be placed
and to the outer ends of this spring (spiral or otherwise and which is enclosed in a
bar and has a fixed point in the centre thereof) a wheel-grooved fluted or bevelled-
working on the upper and the other working on the lower bar or arm of the triangle
in a word, both of the wheels pressing outwards on the lateral arms of the triangle.
By this contrivance, a semi-circle clasp (or otherwise shaped and which I shall
describe further on) moves from the right-hand side of the volume to the left or
clasping side and consequently increases in tension according to the contents of the
volume.
(Thirdly) The sliding-bar to consist of two plates, the outer of which will be made
plain for the name of the owner of the volume (or other device) or elaborate and
artistic when no name has to be engraven thereon; on the other or inner bar the
word "patent" and the number of the patent will be inserted.
(Fourthly) This Bar has to be fixed to a clasp the shape of which may be briefly
and summarily described :-Where affixed or welded to the outer and inner bar it is
desirable that it be flat and artistic in finish and these two flat pieces at their con-
fluence (the clasp-side) are to be welded together and formed eitfier round or square
(according to the caprice or taste of the manufacturer). At this confluent part of the
clasp it has to form a semi-circle (or other shape) to fix neatly on the left hand side of
the ball-shaped knob or knobs.
(Fifthly) As the bulk-increase of an album can casily be computed at the incipient
stages of impletion a stationary instead of an adjustable triangle is all that is necessary
for my album "extension-clasp"; but, for invoice-books and other books of a kindred
nature the bulk-increase of which is in many instances abnormal the adjustable
triangle then becomes absolutely necessary the increase in these being so great as I
have already stated. But, with albums which increase from two to six eights (more
or less) of an inch an un-extendable triangle with the sliding-bar is all that is
necessary. I therefore reserve for myself the right of embodying in my patent these
two "extension-clasps "the one for undetermined bulk-extensions and the other for
determined bulk-extensions. To the former class belong invoice-books and all books
of a kindred nature and to the latter belong albums and all books of a kindred
nature.
Dated at 7 Great George-street. Hillhead Glasgow in the County of Lanark this
Seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved or Extension-clasp for Albums, Invoice-books, or other
Books that are Subject to Periodic Augmentation in Bulk, as
also for other Books and other Purposes.
I, JOHN BALLANTYNE SMALL, Book-keeper and Cashier, residing at 7 Great
George Street, Hillhead, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark North Britain, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement in
writing, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of Drawings and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say
My Invention has for its object the regulation of the normal strain on the boards or
covers of books that are subject to periodic augumentation in bulk at whatever stage
of their impletion, as also for other purposes. Invoice-books, like albums, it is known,
increase in bulk day by day according to the rate of impletion though in the former
the bulk bears no comparison to that of the latter. For holding invoices, vouchers,
or other important documents the bulk-increase is variable, some books containing
these valuable documents shewing an augmentation of several inches long before
completion. Hitherto these have been tied together by means of leathern thongs, or
straps with buckles attached, an operation which at all times must necessitate a
considerable loss of time in opening and re-tying these books. This hourly operation
of opening during the heated hours of business periods of the day when time is the
least valueless, all these valuable periods occupied by clerks and other mercantile
employees in a large commercial establishment means the loss of hundreds of pounds
annually. Wishing to perceptibly minimize if not entirely abrogate this needless
expenditure of time and money ("Time is money"!) in the commercial world has
been one of the objects of my invention. As will be seen hereafter my invention
regulates the depth or bulk of an album, invoice-book or other bulk-increasing book
when deplete or complete as at the intermediate stages of impletion, it having at all
times a uniform strain on the boards or covers, thereby imparting a naturalness to the
volume and at the same time guarding unimpaired the contents of whatsoever nature
they may be.
Briefly summarised, my invention consists of one or two ball-shaped fasteners
(according to the caprice of the manufacturer or the nature of the volume for which
it is intended) on the left-hand side of the volume, and at the right-hand side of the
saine there is the following apparatus for the regulation of the strain on the book's
depth or bulk.
(Firstly). The "extension-clasp "consists of a triangle or angular side quadri-
lateral figure, the base being attached to the right-hand cover of the book and the
apex or top towards the left hand or clasping side thereof.
(Secondly). At the bottom or base of the triangle (when the hook is unclosed)
there will be affixed a movable or sliding clasp bar sliding from the base towards the

page_text: apex in accordance with the tension put upon it by the increasing contents of the
volume and to effect which with much greater facility a spring (spiral or otherwise)
of sufficient durability and strength for the work to be performed will therein be
placed, and to the outer ends of this spring (spiral or otherwise and which is enclosed
in a bar and has a fixed point in the centre thereof) a wheel,-grooved, fluted, or
bevelled, working on the upper and the other working on the lower bar or arm of
the triangle, in a word, both of the wheels pressing outwards on the lateral arms
of the triangle. By this contrivance, a semicircular clasp (or otherwise shaped, and
which I shall describe further on) moves from the right hand side of the volume to
the left or clasping side and consequently increases in tension according to the
contents of the volume.
(Thirdly). The sliding-bar to consist of two plates, the outer of which will be made
plain for the name of the owner of the volume (or other service) or elaborate and
artistic when no name has to be engraven thereon-on the other or inner bar the
word "patent and the number of the patent will be inserted.
--
(Fourthly). This bar has to be fixed to a clasp the shape of which may be briefly
and summarily described -Where affixed or welded to the outer and inner bar it is
desirable that it be flush and artistic in finish, and these two flat pieces at their
confluence (the clasp-side) are to be welded together and formed either round or
square (according to the caprice or taste of the manufacturer), at this confluent part
of the clasp it has to form a semi-circle (or other shape) to fit neatly on to the left
hand side of the ball-shaped knob or knobs.
(Fifthly). As tlie bulk-increase of an album can be easily computed at the incipient
stages of impletion, a stationary instead of an adjustable triangle is all that is necessary
for my album "extension-clasp," but, for invoice-books and other books of a kindred
nature the bulk-increase of which is in many instances abnormal, the adjustable
triangle then becomes absolutely necessary, the increase in these being so great as
I have already stated. But with albums which increase from two to six eighths (more
or less) of an inch, an un-extendable triangle with the single extension sliding bar is
all that is necessary; I therefore reserve for myself the right of embodying in my
patent these two double and single extension-clasps," the one for undetermined bulk
extensions, and the other for determined bulk-extensions. To the former class
belong invoice-books and all books of a kindred nature, and to the latter belong
albums and all books of a kindred nature.
"
And in order that my said Invention, and the manner of performing or carrying
the same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
an explanatory sheet of Drawings, in which the same reference letters are used to
indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures where shown. Referring to the latter
and more simple construction of my new or improved spring extension clasps, for
determined bulk extension books such as albums and books of a kindred nature,
Figures 1 show a front and edge elevation respectively of one simple erect con-
struction of my new quadrilateral or triangular single bulk extension clasp B, C, as
applied to the right and left hand boards or covers A', and A2, of an album A, having
the base of the oblique sided quadrilateral fixed slide plate B of a double form jointed
to a hinge plate a on the right hand board A'; and the upper single bar C of the
spring clasp part fitted to slide within the plates B and extend and hook on to the ball
stud or fastener a² of the plate a secured to the left hand board Aof the album A.
Figures 2, show a front elevation and plan respectively of an invert form of my new
simple construction of single extension spring clasp B, C, having the narrow end of
the fixed slide angular quadrilateral plate B of a double form jointed to the plate a¹ of
the right hand board A, and the single bar C at the wider end of the quadrilateral
moving extension clasp pari, hooked on to the ball stud or fastener a² of the plate a³
secured to the left land board or cover A² of the album A.
Figures 3 and 4 show a front and edge view respectively of another form of my
new construction of single extension spring clasp B, C, of the erect form corre
sponding to Figure 1, but in which the fixed oblique sided plate B is single jointed to
the plate a of the board A2 of the album A; while the bar plate C, of the spring

page_text: clasp part is double for taking over the upper edge of the plate B on to the ball
stud or knob fastener a² of the plate à³, secured to the left hand board or cover A² of.
the album A.
Figure 5 shows a front view of my erect form of oblique quadrilateral double form
of single extension spring clasp B, C, corresponding to Figure 1, in which the two
spring arms of the extension hook bar C work on the oblique side B' of the, inside
surface of the double plates B, instead of on the edges of these plates as in the former
figures.
Figure 6 shows a front elevation, and Figure 7 a front elevation and a plan, of two
forms respectively, namely, an erect and invert modification of my improved con-
struction of double extension clasp B, C, e as suitable for invoice, voucher, and other
like books, which require greater extension or augmentation from time to time, than
albums and such like books, for which the modifications Figures 1 to 5 are more
particularly suited.
Referring to the modification shown in Figure 1, the construction is as follows:-
The stationary quadrilateral slide plate B is preferably made in an open form of thin
sheet brass or other metal, and bent up double at the base part, where it is jointed by
a pin a to hinges on the plate a secured to the right hand cover A' of the book A.
These double plates are compressed parallel at some little distance apart, as shown
particularly in the edge view to the right hand side of Figure 1, and soldered or
otherwise secured together at the outer edges by a plate b, leaving an open parallel
space within and at the top, into which the thin bar C and its narrow, angular spring
arms work, preferably with small rollers C at their extreme lower ends made to
roll by grooves or otherwise on the oblique inner edges of the side plates B, with
sufficient spring force to hold the covers A1, A2, of the book close in its deplete form
as shown in sharp lines with the stud a² in the groove B2 in the centre of the upper
bar of the plates B by the open groove e² in the under central edge of the bar C.
And all so that when the spring clasp C, C, is drawn up by the horns C³ the
spring arms will be compressed and give increased force for the clasp bar C to
hold the covers A', A2 tighter as they are expanded by repletion by the open groove,
at C, in the centre of the bar C, taking on to the knob a² of the cover A2 and its
plate a³, as indicated in dotted lines in the front elevation Figure 1 as extending
from right to left of the book.
Referring to Figures 2, the double plates B are jointed by the pin a at the short bar
of the plates, which are only joined by narrow plates in this case at the upper angled
outsides b, leaving room for the bar C and spring arms C to work up and down in
the narrow space between the plates B, with the rollers C" running on their outer
edges at instead of on the inner edges, as in the former arrangement Figure 1.
The slot C in the bar C is not left open below in this case, but has a round hole large
enough to take over the ball of the securing stud or fastener a², which leaves the bar (
stronger, against the increasing expansion of the spring arms C, in this case which
are expanded outwards as the book A increases in thickness, and the rollers Crise
on the oblique outer endges of the stationary plate B.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, this modification having only a single hinged plate B
in the centre, requires the spring arms C to be made double or forked at their lower
compressing ends, where they embrace the rollers or stud (which runs or glides on
the inner angled edges of the open plate Bas the book expands; the rising bar C
of the spring arms in this case requiring to be double, to take over the upper bar
of the hinged plate B, slots C² being formed in this double bar to take over the
securing ball stud a².
Referring to Figure 5, of my new single extension clasp B, C, the edge plates & unite
the parallel open plates B on their angled sides, and leave room between them for the
end of the spring arms C¹, to act on the inner surface of these angled side
plates b, instead of on the edges of the plates B as in all the former Figures 1 to 4.
It will be understood in these Figures 1 to 5, that although it is the plates B which
are shown hinged to the plate a' of the rigid hand board A as the stationary part of
the clasp, and the bar and spring limbs C, C, C, which are made the movable clasp

page_text: parts, that these might be reversed, and the bar C be hinged to the plate a¹ of tho
board A, and that the triangular or quadrilateral plate B might be made the movable
part to clasp on to the movable stud a² of the left hand board A2 of the book A, and
that this movable clasp part whether made as a plate or a bar, might be guided by
a central stem and socket c² all as indicated in the modification shown in front
elevation in Figure 5 A, and moved up and down by the finger horn B³.
Referring to the modifications of my double extension clasp shown in Figures 6,
and 7, these are designed for invoice or large business books, and are shown with
two ball studs a² as fixed to the usual plate of the left hand board A2; and are
designed with two movable round bars C, c, each having two lateral spring extension
arins C, c, each having two lateral spring extension arms C, C, and c¹ respectively;
the bar of the first clasping on to the studs a² by grooves, and the bar e of the latter
jointed on to the plate a' of the right hand board A¹. The spring arms C, C, and
c, c, of these are made to slide between the double plate member B, in the
form of an open erect and invert quadrilateral member, having the side plates secured
together by edge plates b, b, at the proper width for allowing the springs to work
between them, and so that the rollers or studs C, ell at the extremities of the spring
arms, work or glide to and fro' on the angled edges 6 of the plates B in both arrange-
ments, and give the double extension of the clasps C, c, and of the boards A', A², as
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 6. In these two arrangements Figures 6 and 7, it
will be seen that the plates B are mounted loose on the spring arms C³, c', and that
the clasp part C and plate B swivel with and on the round bar c in the hinge and
plate a of the board A'; and that the plate B rests on stops on the bar cor
hinges a in the unextended portion of the clasp and implete state of the book,
as shown in Figures 6 and 7 respectively.
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 construction or arrangement and combination of the parts of a single
extension clasp composed of two members, bars, or plates B and C, the one C with
two lateral acting spring arms C³, C, acting on the angled sides of the triangular
or quadrilateral plate of the other B, the one hinged to the ordinary plate of one
board of the book, and the other clasped on to studs of the plate on the other board
of the book, either with or without a guiding stem c², all substantially as and for the
purposes herein described, and shown in Figures 1 to 5 A of the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. The construction or arrangement and combination of the parts of a double
extension clasp, composed of three members, bars, or plates B, C, c, two of which
Cand e would be formed each with double acting spring arms C, C, and c¹, c', both
acting on the angled sides of the triangular or quadrilateral plate B, one of the
spring members c or C being hinged to the one plate board of the book, while
the other Corc would be clasped to the studs and plate of the other board of
the book, all substantially as and for the purposes herein described, and shown in
Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. In extension clasps for albums, invoice books, and other purposes, the
use of double lateral acting spring grippers, working on the angled sides or
edges of quadrilateral or angled plates or equivalent members, substantially as
and for the purposes herein described, and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
n
5-11 1
L 1007