AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR UNITING AND SECURING TOGETHER THE ENDS OF MACHINE DRIVING BELTS OR BANDS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR UNITING AND SECURING TOGETHER THE ENDS
OF MACHINE DRIVING BELTS OR BANDS." A communication from abroad
by Patrick J. Flanagan, of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th August 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR UNITING AND
SECURING TOGETHER THE ENDS OF MACHINE DRIVING BELTS OR BANDS." [A
communication from abroad by Patrick J. Flanagan, of New Orleans, Louisiana,
United States of America.]
This Invention relates to improved means for readily and effectually uniting and
securing together the ends of machine belting, formed of leather or any other
material, and consists in a device which comprises connecting links in combination
with fastening rods which have spring ends.
The advantages which this Invention possesses over all other fastenings of which
I have any knowledge are, first, that the holes necessary for its introduction into
the ends of the belt are made much smaller than usual. Second. That in the
practical operation of the said Invention the ends of the links become partially
buried in the belting, and hence cause the strain thereupon to be in a direct line.
And, third. That the fastening rods distribute the strain evenly across the face of
the belt, thereby preventing its being torn by the pulling out of the links.
To unite the ends of a belt according to this Invention the ends thereof should
be first squared and a line drawn across each at a distance from the ends of about
one-half the length of the connecting links, so that the necessary holes may be cut
or punched therein in a direct line. Through these holes the ends of the links are
pressed so as to be secured upon the outer side by anchor or fastening rods, different
lengths of which are made to suit the various widths of belts employed.
To secure the said fastening rods and thereby prevent the links from becoming
disconnected therefrom one end of each is so bent back as to form a spring which
shall close over one of the outer links.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
February 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR UNITING AND
SECURING TOGETHER THE ENDS OF MACHINE DRIVING BELTS OR BANDS."
communication from abroad by Patrick J. Flanagan, of New Orleans, Louisiana,
United States of America.
A
This Invention relates to improved means for readily and effectually uniting and
securing together the ends of machine-belting formed of leather or any other
material, and consists in a device which comprises connecting links in combination
with fastening rods which have spring-ends.
The advantages which this Invention possesses over all other fastenings of which
I have any knowledge are, first, that the holes necessary for its introduction into
the ends of the belt are made much smaller than usual. Second. That in the
practical operation of the said Invention the ends of the links become partially
buried in the belting, and hence cause the strain thereupon to be in a direct line.
And, third. That the fastening rods distribute the strain evenly across the face of
the belt, thereby preventing its being torn by the pulling out of the links.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which,-
Figure 1 represents the opposite ends of a belt and shews them connected by my
improved device.
Figure 2 is a view of one of the wire links; and,
Figure 3, a view of a punched or plate link.
Figure 4 shows one of the fastening rods detached.
Figures 5 and 6 shew a modified form of fastening rod hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
To unite the ends of a belt according to this Invention the said ends should be
first squared and lines should be drawn across the belt at a distance from the ends
of about one half the length of the connecting links a, so that the necessary holes
may be cut or punched therein in a direct line. Through these holes the ends of
the said links are pressed so as to be secured upon the outer side by anchor or
fastening rods b, different lengths of which are made to suit the various widths of
belts to be united.
To secure the said fastening rods and thereby prevent the links from becoming
disconnected therefrom one end of each rod is so bent back as to form a spring
which shall close over one of the outer links, as shewn at c. Instead of bending the
said fastening rod back, as shewn at e, I in some cases employ a wire rod b, as
shewn in Figure 5, having one of its ends sharpened and bent at right angles, as
at b', to be pressed into the belt, as shewn in Figure 6, to prevent any endwise
movement of the said rod.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it to be under-
stood that I claim,-
First. The belt clasp, consisting of the links and the fastening rods provided
with spring ends, as herein described and for the purpose specified.
Second. The modification of my Invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the
Drawing, for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)