IMPROVEMENTS IN BUCKLES
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOHN SIDNEY CROWLEY of Manchester in the County of Lancaster Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BUCKLES to
be as follows:—
The object of my improvements in buckles is to secure a buckle or buckles to
straps of leather or other material without sewing or rivets.
In performing my invention I form my improved buckle of a metal frame
provided with four interior cross bars: on each of the two centre cross bars is hinged
a tongue or tongues pointing outward and resting on the two remaining interior
cross bars.
In connecting a strap to either end of this buckle in which the tongue or tongues
point outward I pass the end of the strap between the frame of the buckle and the
first interior cross-bar, then around the second or centre bar on which the tongue or
tongues is hinged, and between the first and second cross-bars when the strap is
threaded upon the tongue or tongues, passing finally through the space between the
end or first cross bar and the frame of the buckle.
A modification of my invention is effected by hinging the tongue or tongues,
pointing inward, on each of the two end interior cross bars, each of the tongue or
tongues resting on one of the two centre cross bars.
In attaching a strap to either end of this buckle in which the tongue or tongues
point inward, the strap is threaded between the buckle frame, and the first or end
cross bar, around the second or centre bar, and on to the tongue or tongues the end
of the strap passing finally between the first cross bar and the buckle frame.
When the buckle is to be used for the halters of horses or when otherwise
applicable, a wing or wings is added to the buckle frame, and provided with two
interior cross bars, upon either of which a tongue or tongues is hinged as already
described.
Another modification of my invention consists in forming a buckle frame provided
with three interior cross bars: on the centre bar a tongue, or tongues is placed the
tongue pointing outward and resting on the cross bar at one end, or the tongue or
tongues may be hinged to the end cross bar, and rest on the centre cross bar pointing
inward: a tongue or tongues is hinged to the cross bar at the other end and rests
on the buckle frame.
Another modification of my invention consists in forming the buckle frame with
two interior cross bars, a tongue or tongues is hinged to one of these cross bars, and

page_text: rests in the remaining cross bar: the lower part of the buckle frame is provided
with two holes through which a pin is passed and upon this pin any article may be
suspended.
The manner of threading the strap into the various forms of buckles is similar to
that already described.
To gain flexibility in large buckles such as halter buckles I prefer to make the
frame of the buckle in pieces, and join the pieces by pins, which act as hinges.
Instead of hinging the tongues to the cross bars the tongues may be fixed to the
cross bars, and the latter be fitted in the buckle frame so as to be free to turn.
Dated this 7th day of January 1884.
I JOHN SIDNEY CROWLEY, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BUCKLES,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my improvements in buckles is to secure a buckle or buckles to
straps of leather or other material without sewing or rivets.
In performing my Invention I form my improved buckle of a metal frame
provided with four interior crossbars: on each of the two centre cross bars is hinged
a tongue or tongues pointing outward and resting on the two remaining interior
cross bars.
In connecting a strap to either end of this buckle in which the tongue or tongues
point outward, I pass the end of the strap between the frame of the buckle and the
first interior cross bar, then around the second or centre bar on which the tongue or
tongues is hinged and between the first and second cross bars, when the strap is
threaded upon the tongue or tongues passing finally through the space between the
end or first cross bar and the frame of the buckle.
A modification of my Invention is effected by hinging the tongue or tongues,
pointing inward, on each of the two end interior cross bars, each of the tongue or
tongues resting on one of the two centre cross bars.
In attaching a strap to either end of this buckle in which the tongue or tongues
point inward the strap is threaded between the buck'e frame and the first or end
cross bar around the second or centre bar and on to the tongue or tongues, the end
of the strap passing finally between the first cross bar and the buckle frame.
When the buckle is to be used for the halters of horses or when otherwise
applicable, a wing or wings is added to the buckle frame and provided with two
interior cross bars, upon either of which a tongue or tongues is hinged as already
described.
Another modification of my Invention consists in forming a buckle frame provided
with three interior cross bars: on the centre bar a tongue or tongues is placed, the

page_text: tongue pointing outward and resting on the cross bar at one end, or the tongue or
tongues may be hinged to the end cross bar and rest on the centre cross bar,
pointing inward: a tongue or tongues is binged to the cross bar at the other end
and rests on the buckle frame.
Another modification of my Invention consists in forming the buckle frame with
two interior cross bars; a tongue or tongues is hinged to one of these cross bars
and rests on the remaining cross bar; the lower part of the buckle frame is provided
with two holes through which a pin is passed and upon this pin any article may be
suspended.
The manner of threading the strap into the various forms of buckles is similar to
that already described.
To gain flexibility in large buckles such as halter buckles, I prefer to make the
frame of the buckle in pieces and join the pieces by pins which act as hinges.
Instead of binging the tongues to the cross bars, the tongues may be fixed to the
cross bars and the latter be fitted in the buckle frame so as to be free to turn.
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, reference
being had to the figures and letters marked thereon.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, in which the
metal frame of the buckle is lettered a, the interior cross bars b, the tongues c, and
the straps d.
Figure 1 is a buckle made with four interior cross bars b, and with the tongues c
pointing outward. Fig. 2 is a similar buckle but with the tongues c pointing
inward. Fig. 3 is a buckle corresponding to that shown in Fig. 1 but formed with
a wing provided with two cross bars b, and a tongue c; a similar wing could be
formed on the other side of the buckle if required. This buckle may be used for
the halters of horses and other cattle.
Figs. 4 and 5 are views of a buckle formed with three interior cross bars b; on
the centre and one of the end cross bars bare hinged two tongues c, one of which
rests on the buckle frame a and the other on the remaining cross bar b. Fig. 5
shows two straps d connected to the buckle.
Fig. 6 shows a buckle formed with three cross bars b and a wing to which the
two ends of a strap d are connected. This buckle is also provided with a loop e
and is particularly applicable for halters and harness purposes.
Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are views of buckles formed with two interior cross bars b,
and illustrate some of the various uses to which my Invention may be put and the
manner of connecting the buckles to different articles. Fig. 7 shows the buckle
with a strap d connected to it and with a swivel ring f cast with the buckle in a
hole in the frame a. Fig. 8 shows part of a stirrup g suspended from the buckle
by means of a pin h passed through a hole in the stirrup iron and two holes in the
frame a.
Fig. 9 shows a spring clip cast with the buckle frame. This buckle may
be used for the ends of reins to connect them to bits or halters and for other
purposes. Fig. 10 shows the buckle frame formed with a loop e from which the
bit may be suspended when the buckle is used for halters.
Fig. 11 shows a buckle formed with two interior cross bars b to one of which are
hinged the three tongues c: the middle tongue rests on the frame a and the two
outer tongues rest upon the remaining cross bar b.
By constructing buckles in the manner described and illustrated the main part
of the drag or pull is sustained by the solid part of the strap bearing on the interior
cross bar or bars b, whereas in buckles of the ordinary construction, the greatest
strain is thrown upon the tongue and the weakest part of the strap, that is, where
the hole is punched through which the tongue is threaded.
I am enabled to attach straps to these buckles without either sewing or riveting,
and to detach, lengthen or shorten the straps at will. In this manner and by the
use of all or some of the buckles of the kind illustrated by Figs 3, 6, 9 and 10 a
complete set of harness may be put together without stitches or rivets.

page_text: By the use of a buckle (similar to one of those shown in Figs 1, 2, 4 or 5) a
broken strap or rein may be repaired by connecting the broken ends of the rein one
to each end of the buckle.
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
The construction of buckles, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein described and illustrated on the drawings annexed.
Dated this 4th dov of October 100.1
JOHN SIDNEY CROWLEY.
H. B. Barlow,
Agent for Applicant,
17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.
J