Improvements in Buckles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Buckles.
I, DANIEL EDWARD HIPWELL, of 14, Upper Bedford Place, Russell Square, in
the County of London, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
-
This invention relates to that class of buckle in which the tongue is capable
of being moved backward in order that the strap or the like which it is intended
to engage can be freed.
In carrying out my invention I construct the buckle in such a manner that
the tongue is retained in its proper position by a suitable guide so that when it
is moved forward to the closed position by a lever to which it is connected, the
outer end of the tongue will enter an aperture or concavity in the front bar of
the buckle so as to form a security for the said tongue.
The lever beforementioned is capable of oscillation on a transverse bar arranged
within the frame of the buckle, and is provided with spring clip or clips which
engage suitable indentations or equivalent in the sides of the buckle so that
when the lever is pressed down in order to cause. the tongue to slide forward to
engage the perforated strap or the like the spring clips firmly retain the said
lever in position. When however it is desired to release the strap it is only
necessary to raise the lever which causes the tongue to be drawn back clear of the
strap so that it can be with-drawn from the buckle.
Dated the 6th day of August 1897.
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
I, DANIEL EDWARD HIPWELL, of 14, Upper Bedford Place, Russell Square, in
the County of London, Merchant, 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 relates to that class of buckle in which the tongue is capable
of being moved longitudinally backward in order that the strap or the like can
be readily freed even when it is under full strain.
The object of my invention is to provide a buckle that can be more easily
manipulated and at the same time is more reliable than any buckle hitherto

page_text: The invention may be constructed in various forms. In the drawings-
Figure 1, shews a longitudinal section of a buckle intended to be used for pole
chains and the like.
Figure 2, is a plan of the same.
Figure 3, shews in section a buckle used for a similar purpose to that illus-
trated in Figure 1, but in this instance the tongue slides under the frame.
Figure 4, is a plan of a strap buckle.
Figure 5, is a perspective view of the same, but shewing the lever raised and
the tongue drawn back.
Figure 6, is a section of a buckle with the lever raised and a strap in position
ready to be engaged by the tongue, and
Figure 7, shews a buckle in which the tongue may be fastened by a padlock
to prevent it being withdrawn. This form of buckle is specially applicable to
portmanteaus, trunks and the like.
In carrying out my invention I form the frame (A) of a shape and size to suit
the buckle, according to the purpose for which it is to be used. For chains, the
frame may be constructed as shewn in Figures 1 to 3 and for straps, similar to
Figures 4 to 6; for fastening portmanteaus and the like I prefer the form shewn
in Figure 7, the means for engaging and releasing in all cases are similar.
4
The tongue (B) is connected to the lever (C) in a position above the pivot (D)
on which the lever turns, so that by raising the lever the tongue is moved back-
ward and by lowering it the tongue is moved forward. The said tongue engages
the keepers (E) and (E) when holding a strap or chain and thus becomes practic-
ally rigid in the frame therefore rendering it impossible for the strap or chain
to become accidentally detached. The tongue may be further secured by a pad-
lock or other fastening suitably connected to it. At the same time owing to the
direct longitudinal travel of the tongue the connection and disconnection of
the strap or chain with the buckle is facilitated.
In order to securely retain the lever (C) in the closed position spring clips such
as (F) may be formed on the lever to grip the sides of the frame; or a com-
pressible disc (G) of india rubber (or equivalent means) arranged upon the lever
pivot as shewn in Figure 1 may be used, in which case the india rubber is com-
pressed as the lever is forced over the shoulder (H) into the recess (I), so that in
order to raise the lever sufficient force must be used to overcome the resistance
of this compressible disc; or any other suitable means may be employed that will
have the desired effect.
One end of the strap or chain is secured to the extension piece (J) of the buckle.
This piece consists of a transverse bar for a strap buckle and a loop or hook for
a chain buckle. i
The free end of the strap or chain is engaged by the tongue (B) which when
the lever is closed securely holds the same against the front keeper (E).
To release the strap or chain it is only necessary to raise the lever so as to
cause the tongue to be drawn back clear of the strap or chain and thereby permit
its withdrawal from the buckle.
For fastening portmanteaus and the like I prefer to form the tongue (B) flat
so that it can engage with a suitable laddered chain which is secured to the
portmanteau. The said tongue may be also made longer than for ordinary
buckles so as to project through the keeper (E) and may have a hole (K) in the
projecting end to receive a padlock, or it may be otherwise suitably locked, or
if. desired the locking means may be applied to the lever. It may be here
explained that the means for retaining the lever in the closed position in this
case could be dispensed with.
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:

page_text: ally sliding tongue (B), the keepers (E) and (E¹) for the said tongue, a pivoted
lever (C) for actuating the tongue and suitable means for retaining the lever in
the closed position, substantially as herein set forth.
Secondly. In buckles having a sliding tongue and pivoted lever, the keepers (E)
and (E) and the means for locking the said tongue or lever, substantially as
herein set forth.
Thirdly. A buckle having a tongue capable of being moved longitudinally by
a pivoted lever, means for keeping the said tongue in its proper path, means for
means for locking the tongue or
retaining the lever in the closed position
lever, substantially as herein set forth.
Dated the fith dow of Mov 1800
and
or
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.