Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 8th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 11th Nov., 1887
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to buttons or holders by means of which the cuffs may be
readily and securely attached to and easily detached from the sleeves of garments, and
has, for its primary object to avoid the annoyance caused by the want of suitable means
for securing cuffs within the sleeves of garments, particularly women's garments and
to provide effective and at the same time ornamental devices therefor.
The said invention consists of a cuff button having a shank and shoe of any approved
construction, but the head of which is formed into or is provided with clamping jaws
or is so constructed as to seize the sleeve of the garment within which the cuff is
inserted and to hold the said cuff securely in position, the upper jaw of said head or
that portion which is seen outside of the sleeve being so formed as to have the
appearance of a button or the face of a cuff button.
The method usually employed by women and children, for whose use this invention
is especially designed, in securing the cuffs within the garment sleeve is to pin them.
This method however is attended with great inconvenience and when the cuffs are well
starched causes a great deal of annoyance.
The improved cuff button is intended to avoid this difficulty and in outward
appearance is identical with an ordinary cuff button.
The improved button comprises an upper jaw or button-like portion a lower jaw,
a shank which is secured to the said lower jaw, and a shoe or back plate.
The construction, arrangement, and operation of the clamping jaws which form the
head of the cuff button may be varied in many ways, being hinged or pivotted
together and holding the end of the sleeve there between when the button is adjusted
in wearing position.

page_text: The outward appearance of the upper button like portion of the head particularly
when in wearing position is similar to an ordinary button of like outline, the said
upper button or jaw being preferably formed so as to contain and conceal all of the
mechanism by which the jaws are caused to grip the sleeve.
The spring or other gripping mechanism of the button is preferably arranged in the
button-like portion of the head as above stated, because the majority of cuff buttons
are made with a hollow deep face to give an outward appearance of solidity and by
thus forming the button similarly to those already approved of by the public, a
convenient receptacle for the spring is provided, and at the same time a saleable form
of button is secured.
It will be understood however that the arrangement of the spring is not limited to
its position in the upper jaw or button at it may be otherwise placed and produce the
desired result, viz. to cause the holding contact of the jaws.
The upper button like portion or jaw may consist of a casing and a button plate
between which is arranged a spring. The said plate is perforated at the T end of the
lower jaw projecting up through the perforation and bearing against the end of the
spring. The said lower jaw is bent to a substantially T-shape and an upwardly bent
toothed end and when arranged in operative relation with the upper jaw or button,
said toothed end projects up into the opening in the plate.
The under jaw is sometimes bent near the point where the jaws are hinged together
or toward the centre of the button, projecting downward and away from the button or
upper jaw and then extending in a direction parallel, or approximately so, with the
said upper jaw. The purpose of this construction is to leave a space between the
hinged button and under jaw to receive the end of the sleeve and thereby to permit
the button to lie flat on the arm and still accommodate itself to different thicknesses
of material, instead of being tilted up away from the arm, which would be the
case if sufficient space were not provided between the jaws to receive said sleeve.
By providing an opening or perforation in the upper jaw or button to receive the
teeth or tooth on the lower jaw instead of leaving the button or under plate solid, the
points of said teeth are protected and are prevented from being dulled or broken
by repeatedly striking the solid under side of the button. Another advantage of this
construction is that the teeth may be made much longer so as to perforate the sleeve
when employed as a cuff holder and yet not cause the toothed end of the under jaw to
stand away from the upper jaw and thus destroy the parallelism of the jaws when used
simply as a cuff button.
The portion of the plate which is cut out to form the said opening is not entirely
removed but is turned up within the cavity in the casing or button; and between said
lip and the side of the casing is arranged the T end of the spring which is thereby
prevented from turning. This construction is especially adapted for round butions.
The said lip portion can be entirely removed, the toothed end of the spring projecting
through the said opening.
The spring can be bent at an angle at the end and clamped between the top plate of
the casing and the button plate the opposite end of the spring being free and bearing
upon the end of the jaw.
If desirable one end of the spring may be provided with teeth and extend down
through the button-plate and engage with the teeth of the jaw to more firmly hold
the sleeve there between. Also the end of the spring may be formed into a single
tooth which passes in between the two teeth formed on the lower jaw.
According to another method of arranging the jaw and spring the jaw is perforated
to receive the end of the spring and is bent, the said bent end being held between
the spring and the top of the casing.
To facilitate the insertion of the button in the cuff any shoe or back may be adopted
which will answer the purpose.
I will describe two forms of construction which are found to be practical. Onc
form consists of an oblong shoe plate extending in its greatest length in the same
direction as the lower jaw. The long narrow form of said plate permits the ready
insertion thereof into the button hole of the cuff, and when the button is turned to

page_text: seize the sleeve with the jaws of the head the said oblong plate lies across the button
hole and effectually prevents its detachment therefrom.
Another form consists of a plate set eccentrically on the shank or extending on one
side thereof which also lies across the button hole when the button is in its holding
position similarly to the oblong plate.
As will be understood the form and ornamentation of the face may be varied
indefinitely as taste or fashion may dictate without departing from the principle of
construction involved in the invention, the different constructions described serving to
illustrate some of the various methods of carrying out the invention to which it is not
my intention to limit the same.
The button may be worn as an ordinary cuff button if desired, when used to retain
the cuff within the sleeve, the button or upper jaw is lifted, the sleeve drawn up over
the lower jaw and the button or upper jaw closes down upon the sleeve thereby
holding the same securely and retaining the cuff in its proper position.
This feature is of practical importance as it enlarges the use of the cuff button and
does not necessitate the purchasing of two pairs of buttons should it be desirable to
wear the button without using this function, i.e. of holding the sleeve and cuff together,
thereof.
The peculiar construction of the upper button like portion or jaw of the head as a
casing and the arrangement of the spring therein, and also the form and arrangement
of the lower jaw whereby it is concealed by the over projecting edges of the button
or casing serves to produce and heighten the effect of its resemblance to an ordinary
cuff button.
Further, as the upper jaw is made to represent the face of a button the same effect
is attained when the jaws seize the sleeve nothing appearing to mar the effect, as the
lower jaw is concealed by the sleeve and also as the said jaw enters the casing some
distance from the outer edge thereof.
I am aware that the button plate may be dispensed with and other methods of
hingeing the jaws together be employed, as for instance the T end may be pivotted
on the inturned edges of the casing but I prefer to employ said plate as it serves to
conceal the spring and the inserted end the lower jaw, rendering the appearance
thereof more sightly when the button like jaw is raised; and furthermore by closing
the interior of the casing and arranging all of the co-operating parts as the spring &c.,
therein no opportunity is afforded for lace or other trimming to catch between the
spring and the end of the lower jaw as will be understood.
Dated this 24th day of March 1887
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: QUBLE DIN DIUITIATION.
Improvements in Cuff-buttons or Holders.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 buttons or solitaires by means of which the cuffs may be
readily and securely attached to and easily detached from the sleeves of garments
and has for its primary object to avoid the annoyance caused by the want of suitable
means for securing cuffs within the sleeves of garments particularly women's garments
and to provide effective and at the same time ornamental devices therefor.
The said invention consists of a cuff button having a shank and shoe of any approved
construction, but the head of which is formed into or is provided with clamping jaws
or is so constructed as to seize the sleeve of the garment within which the cuff is
inserted and to hold the said cuff securely in position, the upper jaw of said head or
that portion which is seen outside of the sleeve being so formed as to have the
appearance of a button or the face of a cuff-button.
In the accompanying drawing various forms of construction of the invention are
illustrated.
Figure 1 is a view showing the improved button attached to the cuff and sleeve.
Figure 2 is a plan of a round cuff button the head of which is adapted to seize
the sleeve.
Figure 3 is a section of Figure 2 through line z.
Figure 4 is a plan of the underside of the same.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an oblong button with the jaws open.
Figure 6 is an elevation of a similarly shaped button having another form of shoe.
Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of one form of the jaws to which the shank
is secured and a holding spring respectively.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the said holding spring provided with teeth
thereon.
Figure 9 is a sectional view illustrating a modification in the arrangement and
construction of the spring and lower jaw.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of one end of the lower jaw shown in Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a section of a button having a rounded face illustrating a modified
form of construction.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a toothed spring shown in Figure 11 and
Figure 13 is a similar view of the under jaw and shank shown in Figure 11.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
The method usually employed by women and children for whose use this invention is
especially designed, in securing the cuffs within the garment sleeve is to pin them.
This method however is attended with great inconvenience and when the cuffs are
well starched causes a great deal of annoyance.

page_text: The improved cuff button is intended to avoid this difficulty and in outward
appearance is identical with an ordinary cuff-button.
The improved button comprises an upper jaw or button-like portion a a lower jaw b
a shank c which is secured to the said lower jaw and a shoe or back plate d.
As shown in the drawing the construction, arrangement and operation of the
clamping jaws which form the head of the cuff button may be varied in many ways
being hinged or pivoted together and holding the end of the sleeve there between when
the button is adjusted in its wearing position as indicated in Figure 1.
The outward appearance of the upper button-like portion of the head a particularly
when in its wearing position, is similar to an ordinary button of like outline, the said
upper button or jaw being preferably formed so as to contain and conceal all the
mechanism by which the jaws are caused to grip the sleeve.
The spring or other gripping mechanism of the button is preferably arranged in
the button-like portion of the head as above stated, because the majority of cuff-
buttons are made with a hollow deep face to give an outward appearance of solidity
and by thus forming the button similarly to those already approved of by the public, a
convenient receptacle for the spring is provided and at the same time a suitable form
of button is secured.
It will be understood however that the arrangement of the spring is not limited to
its position in the upper jaw or button as it may be otherwise placed and produce the
desired result viz. to cause the holding contact of the jaws.
When formed as shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the upper button like portion
or jaw may consist of a casing a and a button plate a' between which is arranged a
spring e. The said plate a' is perforated at a² and preferably at a³ as indicated, the
Tend of the lower jaw b projecting up through the perforation a² in the plate a¹ and
bearing against the end of the spring e. The said lower jaw b is bent as shown in
Figure 7 or in Figure 13 with a T-shaped end and an upwardly bent toothed end 6ª
and when arranged in operative relation with the upper jaw or button as shown in
Figures 3 and 11, said toothed end projects up into the opening a³ in the plate.
By referring to Figures 3, 7, 11 and 13 it will be seen that the under jaw 6 is bent
near the point where the jaws are hinged together or toward the centre of the button
as in Figure 11 projecting downward and away from the button or upper jaw and
then extending in a direction parallel or approximately so, with the said upper jaw.
The purpose of this construction is to leave a space between the hinged button and
under jaw to receive the end of the sleeve as shown in Figure 1 and thereby to permit
the button to lie flat on the arm and still accommodate itself to different thicknesses
of material instead of being tilted up away from the arm which would be the case
if sufficient space were not provided between the jaws to receive the said sleeve.
By providing an opening or perforation in the upper jaw or button to receive the
teeth or tooth on the lower jaw instead of leaving the button or under plate solid,
the points of said teeth are protected and are prevented from becoming blunt or
broken by repeatedly striking the solid underside of the button. Another advantage
of this construction is that the teeth may be made much longer so as to perforate the
sleeve when employed as a cuff holder and yet not cause the toothed end of the under
jaw to stand away from the upper jaw and thus destroy the parallelism of the jaws
when used simply as a cuff button as indicated in Figures 3 and 4.
a,
and
The portion a of the plate which is cut out to form the said opening a³ is not
entirely removed but is turned up within the cavity in the casing or button
between said lip a' and the side of the casing is arranged the T end e¹ of the spring e
which is thereby prevented from turning. This construction is especially adapted for
round buttons as shown in figures 2 to 4. As indicated in figure 11, the said lip
portion a' can be entirely removed, the toothed end of the spring projecting through
the said opening a³.
The spring e when constructed as indicated in Figures 3 and 8 is bent at an angle
at the end e and clamped between the top plate of the casing and the button plate a¹
the opposite end of the spring being free and bearing upon the T-shaped end of
the jaw b.

page_text: If desirable the end of the spring e may be provided with teeth as shown in
Figure 8 and extend down through the button plate a' and engage with the teeth of
the jaw b to more firmly hold the sleeve there between; also the end t' of the spring
may be formed into a single tooth as shown in Figure 12, which passes in between the
two teeth formed on the lower jaw as illustrated in Figure 13.
Figures 9 and 10 illustrates another method of arranging the jaw band spring in
which the jaw is perforated at 3 to receive the end of the spring and is bent at 6 the
said bent end being held between the spring and the top of the casing when opened
the said jaw will take up the position shown by the dotted line in figure 9.
8
To facilitate the insertion of the button in the cuff any shoe or back may be adopted
which will answer the purpose. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate two forms of construction
which are found to be practical; The form shown in Figure 5 consists of an oblong
shoe plate extending in its greatest length in the same direction as the lower jaw b.
The long narrow form of said plate permits the ready insertion thereof into the button
hole of the cuff, and when the button is turned to seize the sleeve with the jaws of the
head the said oblong plate lies across the button hole and effectually prevents its
detachment therefrom.
Another form shown in Figure 6 consists of a plate set excentrically on the shank
or extending on one side thereof, which also lies across the button hole when the
button is in its holding position similarly to the oblong plate.
As will be understood the form and ornamentation of the face may be varied
indefinitely as taste or fashion may dictate without departing from the principle of
construction involved in the invention, the different construction shown and described
serving to illustrate some of the various methods of carrying out the invention to which
it is not my intention to limit the same.
The button may be worn as an ordinary cuff button if desired, when used to retain
the cuff within the sleeve the button or upper jaw a is lifted, the sleeve drawn up over
the lower jaw and the button or upper jaw closed down upon the sleeve thereby
holding the same securely and retaining the cuff in its proper position.
This feature is of practical importance as it enlarges the use of the cuff button and
does not necessitate the purchasing of two pairs of buttons should it be desirable to
wear the button without using it as a means for holding the sleeve and cuff
together.
The peculiar construction of the upper button like portion or jaw of the head as a
casing and the arrangement of the spring therein, and also the form and arrangement
of the lower jaw whereby it is concealed by the projecting edges of the button or
casing serves to produce and heighten the effect of its resemblance to an ordinary cuff
button. Further, as the upper jaw is made to represent the face of a button the same
effect is attained when the jaws seize the sleeve as illustrated in the drawing, nothing
appearing to mar the effect, as the lower jaw is concealed by the sleeve and also as the
said jaw enters the casing some distance from the outer edge thereof.
I am aware that the button plate a' may be dispensed with and other methods of
hingeing the jaws together be employed, as for instance the T shaped end may be
pivoted on the inturned edges of the casing a, said inturned edges being shown in
Figures 3 and 4, but I prefer to employ said plate as it serves to conceal the spring
and the inserted end of the lower jaw, rendering the appearance thereof more sightly
when the button like jaw a is raised as in Figure 5, and furthermore by closing the
interior of the casing and arranging all the cooperating parts therein, no oportunity
is afforded for lace or other trimming to catch between the spring and the end of the
lower jaw as will be understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The combination with a shoe or back plate and the shank of a cuff button, of
a head portion secured to said shank, consisting of cooperating clamping jaws hinged
together the lower clamping jaws projecting up into the upper clamping jaw or face
j

page_text: which consists of a casing as set forth, and engaging with a spring arranged in said
casing and operating to cause the holding contact of the jaws, for the purpose
set forth.
Second. The combination with a shoe or back plate and the shank of a cuff button,
of a head portion secured to said shank consisting of cooperating clamping jaws
hinged together, the upper clamping jaw or face consisting of a casing a having an
under perforated plate a' through which the lower clamping jaw projects up into said
casing and engages with a spring arranged therein, and said spring, substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
Third. In a cuff button the combination of a shoe or back plate; a shank; an
under jaw of the face or head portion secured to said shank and provided with a
Tshaped end; the upper jaw of said face or head portion consisting of a casing
having a perforated bottom plate through which the T shaped end of said lower jaw
projects up into the interior of said casing and a spring arranged within said casing
and engaging with the T shaped end of the lower jaw, for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. In a cuff button the combination with a shoe or back plate and the
shank thereof of a head portion consisting of cooperating toothed clamping jaws
hinged together, the upper jaw or face of said head consisting of a button a, and
the lower jaw of a plate b bent away from said upper jaw near the hinge and then
extending in a direction parallel, or approximately so, with said upper jaw leaving a
space therebetween to receive the end of the sleeve, and a spring constructed and
arranged to cause the holding contact of said jaws upon said sleeve when inserted
therebetween, for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. In a cuff button the combination with a shoe or back plate and the shank
thereof, of a head portion consisting of cooperating clamping jaws, hinged together,
the upper jaw consisting of a button provided with an opening or perforation therein
to receive a tooth or teeth on the lower jaw, and the lower jaw provided with a tooth
or teeth thereon which when the jaws are closed project up into the opening in said
upper jaw or button, and a spring constructed and arranged to cause the holding contact
of the said jaws, for the purposes set forth.
TY
1007