An Improved Buckle.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 2nd May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Buckle.
We, ALFRED SHUTTLEWORTH, and FRANK SHUTTLEWORTH trading as
Agricultural Engineers at Stamp End Works, Lincoln under the style or firm of
Clayton and Shuttleworth and ROBERT GAMBLE of Stamp End Works, Lincoln
aforesaid, Machine Foreman, 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 has reference to an improved construction of buckle specially
suitable for fastening together the ends of leather driving belts such as are used for
driving the pulleys of the shakers, riddles, awners, blowers and other rotating
parts of thrashing machines, and by means of which the liability of the belt to
tear at the holes that obtains with a buckle of ordinary construction provided with
a pivoted tongue, is obviated.
A buckle according to this invention comprises a frame with an intermediate or
central bar carrying a fixed tongue or tongues for engagement with the ends of
the belt, as
we will now more particularly explain with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which,
Fig. 1 is a plan; and
Fig. 2 a section on the line e Fig. 1 of the improved buckle.
Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a plan and a side elevation of a portion of a belt
the ends of which are connected by a buckle of the kind shewn in Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 4 shows the belt with buckle passing around a pulley a part only of which is
shown.
The frame is composed of two sides 1, 1 and two ends 2 and 3; 4 is the inter-
mediate or central bar with a single fixed tongue 5. These parts constituting the
complete buckle are made in one. This may be done by casting the buckle of any
suitable metal as for example brass, or gun metal, but it is preferred to make
it of malleable iron, this material being cheaper and lighter than brass or gun
metal.
To connect the ends of a belt 6 by a buckle of the kind described, one end of the
belt is passed through the opening between the end 2 and the intermediate bar 4,
and the tongue 5 is caused to enter a hole 7 in that end. The other perforated
end of the belt is passed through the opening between the end 3 and bar 4 over the
other end of the belt, and under the end 2, and is caused to engage with the
tongue as shown. The end of the belt will then be securely connected but never-
theless in such a manner as to admit of ready disconnection for adjustment of the
length of the belt or for other purposes. The arrow shews the direction in which
the belt and buckle are to run when in use. It is preferred to make the forward
end 2 slightly higher than the rearward end 3 to allow for the greater thickness of
leather that passes under it, and to enable the upper end of the belt to be readily
passed between it and the other or lower end of the belt. For belts having a
width up to 24 inches one tongue will usually be sufficient; for belts having a width
of from 3 to 3 inches two tongues may be used and for belts having a width of
from 4 to 6 inches three tongues may be used.
As will be obvious the improved buckle can be used for connecting together the
ends of belts, straps and the like other than those used as driving belts.
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. The hereinabove described improved buckle comprising the sides 1, ends 2, 3,

page_text: and intermediate bar 4 with fixed tongue (or tongues) 5, as described and
shown.
2. Connecting the ends of a driving belt by means of a buckle with fixed tongue
or tongues 5 as described.
Dated this 98th day of March 1801
ALFRED SHUTTLEWORTH.
FRANK SHUTTLEWORTH.
ROBERT GAMBLE.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.