An Improved Device for Holding or Retaining Ladies' Hats.
Year: 1897

page_text: "PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Holding or Retaining Ladies' Hats.
I, ANDREAS STOCKINGER, of No. 4, Spiegelgasse, Vienna, 1, in the Empire of
Austria, Hair dresser, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The subject of this invention is an improved device for securing ladies' hats
in position on the wearers' heads; such device consisting of series of teeth points
or pins or of combs, attached to the hat in such a manner that, when it is desired
to make use of the retaining device, the said combs or pins are moved into position
for entering the wearer's hair, while, so long as the device is not required, the
combs or the like are kept out of contact with the hair.
According to one form of the improved device a comb-case is provided which
is adapted to be fitted to the crown of the hat, and wherein the comb is made
adjustable by means of a nut which is secured against longitudinal displacement
Whilst
relatively to the comb-case, but may be screwed up and down on a screw.
the comb remains within the case, its teeth cannot touch the wearer's hair, but
when, it is moved out of the case, its protruding teeth will enter the hair and
securely hold the hat. The comb may if preferred be controlled or adjusted by
means of a stud, such as sliding in a groove or slot, or by a pin, moved through
And the comb-
a perforation in the comb-case, instead of by a nut and screw.
case need not have solid walls, but may consist simply of two strips, just sufficient
to enclose the comb and protect its points.
In another form of the device two combs are made revolvable on a pivot in the
comb-case, and adapted to be so turned as to make the comb-points or teeth pro-
trude from the case when it is desired to secure the hat in position.
A similar arrangement, consists in the employment of two pointed hooks or bent
hat pins instead of the two combs of the previous constructions. In a similar
manner to the previously described constructions the remaining hooks are con-
trolled by a screw; which screw, in the present case, however, serves to operate
levers, actuating the hooks.
The two combs may be pivotted to the opposite ends of the plate or case, and
adapted to be moved by a handle, which engages with projections formed on the
comb, when it is desired to move them in one or the other direction.
In another modification there are provided two combs, linked to a plate serving
as comb-cases. The two combs are joined by a hinge to a rod or cord, and the
plates are likewise connected with a cord or rod by means of a hinge. When
the two portions of the device are moved apart, the combs will advance toward the
plates and enter the hair; whereas, when the said parts are moved in the opposite

page_text: direction, they return to their original position. Or the plates may be attached
to the hat.
In a similar arrangement to that above described the combs are doubled and
slightly modified. Here, two pairs of combs are linked, to two parallel plates,
serving as comb-casings. Besides each of the two pairs of combs, linked to one
of the plates, respectively, are connected with each other by hinges, so as jointly to
form a parallelogram.
At opposite ends of the plates there are secured small rods, each of which is
guided by an eye with which the corresponding plate is provided for the purpose.
When, therefore, the two plates are drawn apart by means of the rods the diagonal
of the parallelogram formed by the combs, is thereby extended, and, accordingly,
the combs are folded in between the plates; while, when the said plates are shifted
in the opposite direction, the combs will fold outwards. Where the arrangement
is such, that the hinges lie each against that end of the corresponding plate which is
farthest from the point of connection of the rod, the combs will turn outwards
when the plates are expanded, and inwards, when such plates are compressed.
A further modification of the novel device is as follows:-
In the interior of the hat, at two nearly diametrically opposite points, there
are secured two resilient plates, intersecting, each other in the samd plane. Each
of these plates carries a comb at one end, where it is, moreover, connected with
the other plate by a wire or cord. In front of the points of the comb-teeth of
one plate there is situated a perforation or slot, made in the other plate. When
the user puts on the 'hat, she compresses the plates, when the comb-carrying ex-
tremity of each plate will nearly come into close contact with the other plate,
with the result that the combs pass through the slots, and enter, the wearer's hair.
With this arrangement the combs need not be pushed into the hair by. hand.
The two combs are sometimes placed opposite each other, each. of which is
secured to a plate, which at the same time forms, a case for the other comb; for,
when the two plates--one of which serves as a guide for the other are moved
towards each other, the comb of one. plate becomes covered over by the plate..of.
the other comb. Similarly, when the two plates are drawn apart, the, comb of
each plate moves back over the other plate, and after getting past such plate,
penetrates into the hair.
In a modification of this arrangement the combs overlic each other, so that the
back of the one covers the teeth of the other; the teeth of the two combs facing
each other respectively. The combs are attached to wires or bands and mutually
guide cach other. When the combs are drawn together, the teeth of one comb
move over and past the back of the other comb and enter the wearer's hair.
In a similar arrangement the teeth of the combs are placed at an angle to their
backs, and are arranged to engage with, and thus guide, each other. When, there-
fore, the plates are moved in one direction, the two comb-backs are brought nearer
to each other and the points of the combs enter the hair.
In a further modification the comb is provided with crooked or hook-shaped
teeth, arranged somewhat wide apart, and it is adapted to be moved or adjusted
along the plate, the edge of which is so indented, that each projection or tooth of
the plate is large enough entirely to cover over one tooth of the combs.
When the comb is displaced, the points of the comb will come to stand in front
of the slots of the indented plate and, on assuming this position, my be inserted
into the hair.
In some cases the combs may be moved to the required positions, relatively to
the plates, by hand; or such movement may be performed by them automatically
in the process of putting on the hat; this would be effected in a manner somewhat
similar to that above described: the comb or combs would, in that case, have bands
attached to them, which, as the hat is being put on, would come into operation
through touching the wearer's head. In the several modifications of the hat re-
tainer, described above, the insertion of the comb-teeth, or hooks or points (as the
case may be) into the hair may also be effected by suitable spring mechanism,

page_text: the wearer being obliged, in those cases, to compress the springs in putting on
and taking off the hat.
1007
r
1
3.I'
An Improved Device for Holding or Retaining Ladies' Hats.
I, ANDREAS STOCKINGER, of No. 4, Spiegelgasse, Vienna, 1, in the Empire of
Austria, Hair-dresser, 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:-
-
;
;
The subject of this invention is an improved device for securing ladies' hats
in position on the wearers' heads, such device consisting of one or more series
of teeth, points or pins, or of combs, attached to the hat in such a manner that,
when it is desired to make use of the retaining device, the said combs or pins.are
moved into position for entering the wearer's hair, while, so long as the device
is not required, the combs or the like are kept out of contact with the hair.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect, I will proceed to describe the same fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an elevation of a ladies' hat with my improved device attached
thereto.
· Figure 2 is a plan thereof.
Figure 3 shows the device separately on a larger scale.
Figure 4 shows a modification thereof.
Figure 5 shows in vertical section a modification of my improved device in
which two combs pivotted to the comb case are used.
Figure 5 shows in elevation a modification thereof.
Figure 5 shows another modification of the device shown in Figure 5.
Figure 6 shows in elevation a further modification of the device shown in
Figure 5.
Figure
7 shows in front and side elevation a modification of the device shown
in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of another modification of my improved device
in which the combs are caused to move perpendicularly to the comb cases or
covering plates.
Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the device shown in Figure S.
Figure 9 shows a modification of my device having two combs the back of the
one serving as the case or covering plate for the other.
Figures 10 and 11 show modifications of the device shown in Figure 9.
Figure 12 shows in elevation another modification of my improved device.
Like letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the drawings.
According to the form of the improved device shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a
comb-case A is provided which is adapted to be fitted to the crown of the hat, as
shown in Figures 1 and 2, and wherein the comb B can be slid to and fro by
means of a rod C¹ projecting beyond the crown of the hat and provided with a
removable knob or handle C on its outer end. . Whilst the comb remains within
the case, as is shown in Figure 2, its teeth cannot touch the wearer's hair, but
when it is moved out of the case, as shown in Figure 3, its protruding teeth will
enter the hair and securely hold the hat.

page_text: In applying this device to the hat the case A is first secured within the crown
in any convenient manner and then the comb B is inserted into it, the outer end
of the rod C being passed through a small hole in the crown. Afterwards the
handle C3 is secured to the outer end of the rod C¹.
I would state here that in contradistinction to known hat fasteners the teeth
or prongs of the combs of my hat holder, instead of having spherical or like ends
which are liable to become entangled in the hair and consequently tear it, are
provided with the usual blunt points; and that, the device being secured within
the crown instead of below the brim, the comb back is provided with a single actu-
ating rod C passing outwards through a single small hole in the crown, whereas if
the heretofore known hat fasteners were secured within the crown they would neces-
sitate as many holes in the crown as there are prongs or teeth in the comb, which
is inconvenient, and besides this the back of the comb must in this case be outside
the crown, which is entirely impracticable.
In Figure 4 I have shown a modification of my hat fastener adapted to be se-
cured on the underside of the brim. In this case the comb case A is secured
to the brim in any desired manner and the comb B is adapted to slide in such case.
For guiding the comb and for limiting its movement so as to prevent it from
falling out, one or more teeth A2 of the comb are provided with longitudinal slots
or grooves A* into which enter pins C secured to the comb case. If the hat holder
shown in Figure 4 is to be secured within the crown, the comb is provided with
an actuating rod C¹ as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
In another form of the device, shown in Figure 5, two combs B B are rotatably
I mounted by a pivot C in the comb-case A, and are adapted to be so turned by
means of the handles C as to make the comb-points or teeth project from the case
when it is desired to secure the hat in position.
In Figure 5 a similar construction is shown, in which, however two pointed
hooks or curved hat pins are used instead of the two combs of the previous con-
structions. The curved hat pins B are pivoted to the comb-casing at C4 and are
adapted to be operated by a screw C secured against longitudinal movement in
the comb case A and engaging with a nut, which is connected with the said pins
by links C. By turning this screw C in one direction the pins are drawn back
into the comb-case as shown in full lines; while by turning it in the opposite
direction the pins are pushed out, as indicated in dotted lines, so as to engage
with the wearer's hair. The two combs B may be pivotally mounted at opposite
ends of the covering plate or case A, as shown in Figure 5", at C, C. The said
combs are adapted to be operated or moved in one or the other direction by a
handle C which engages with projections B formed on the combs.
In the modification shown in Figure 6 there are provided two combs B B linked
at C to plates A serving as comb-cases. The two combs are joined by a hinge C
to a rod or cord C7 and the plates A are likewise connected with a cord or rod B³
by means of a hinge B. When the two cords or rods B2 and C7 are moved apart,
the combs advance in the direction indicated by the arrow and enter the hair;
whereas, when the said parts are moved in the opposite direction, they return to
their original position shown in the drawings. The plates may if desired be
rigidly attached to the hat.
The arrangement shown in Figure 7 is similar to that shown in Figure 6, but
the parts are duplicated and slightly modified. Here, two pairs of combs B B, B B
are linked at B3 133 to two parallel plates A A¹, serving as comb-casings. Besides
being linked to one of the plates A A', each comb is pivotally connected at C6 C6
with the free end of the adjacent comb linked to the other plate, so that the four
combs jointly form a parallelogram.
At opposite ends of the plates A. A there are secured small rods C7 C², each of
which is guided by an eye with which the other plate is provided for this purpose.
When, therefore, the two plates A. A. are drawn apart by means of the rods C7 C
the diagonal of the parallelogram formed by the combs B B is thereby extended,
and, accordingly, the combs are folded in between the plates, while, when the said

page_text: plates are shifted in the opposite direction, the combs will fold outwards as shown
in Figure 7. Where the arrangement is such, that the hinges B³ B³ lie each
against that end of the corresponding plate A A which is farthest from the point
of connection of the rod C7 C, the combs will turn outwards when the plates are
drawn apart and inwards, when such plates are drawn together.
A further modification of the novel device is shown in Figures 8 and 8ª.
According to this construction I secure in the interior of the hat, at two nearly
diametrically opposite points, two resilient plates A¹ intersecting each other.
Each of these plates carries a comb B at its free end, where it is, moreover, con-
nected with the other plate by a wire or cord C. In front of the joints of the
comb-tooth of one plate there is situated a perforation or slot A, made in the
other plate. When the user puts on the hat, the plates are bent as shown in
dotted lines in the diagram Figure 8^, and the comb-carrying extremity of each
plate A will come almost into close contact with the other plate, withi the result
that the combs pass through the slots A and enter the wearer's hair. With this
arrangement the combs need not be pushed into the hair by hand. On taking off
the hat the plates A spring back automatically into the position shown in full
lines.
In Figure 9 the two combs B B are placed opposite each other, each comb being
secured to a plate A, which at the same time forms a covering plate or case for
the other comb. When the two plates one of which serves as a guide for the
other are moved towards each other, the comb B of one plate becomes covered
over by the plate A of the other comb. Similarly, when the two plates are drawn
apart, the comb of each plate moves over the other plate, and after getting past
such plate as shown in Figure 9 penetrates into the hair.
In the modification of this arrangement shown in Figure 10 the combs B
overlie each other, so that the back A of the one covers the teeth of the other,
the teeth of the two combs facing each other respectively. The combs may be
attached to wires or bands not shown and mutually guide each other. When the
combs are drawn together, the teeth of one comb move over and past the back of
the other comb and enter the wearer's hair as shown in dotted lines.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 11 the combs B are arranged in substan-
tially the same manner as in Figure 10 with the difference however that the
teeth are placed at an angle to their backs A; the teeth of one comb enter into
the spaces between the teeth of the other comb, so that the teeth of one comb
serve as guides for those of the other. When, therefore, the combs are moved
relatively to each other in the direction of the arrows in Figure 11 the teeth of
one comb are compelled to slide along those of the other, by which movement
the backs of the combs are caused to approach each other as shown in dotted lines,
and the teeth of one comb to project beyond the back of the other comb, so as to
enable the said teeth to engage with the wearer's hair, on moving the combs in
the opposite direction the teeth of the combs are withdrawn from the hair.
In the modification shown in Figure 12 the comb B is provided with crooked
or hook-shaped teeth, arranged somewhat wide apart, and it is adapted to be moved
or adjusted along the plate A, the edge of which is so indented that each projection
or tooth of the plate is large enough to entirely cover one tooth of the comb.
When the comb is displaced, the points of the comb will come in front of the slots
of the indented plate and will, on assuming this position, enter into the hair.
In the modifications shown in Figures 6, and 7 and Figures 9 to 12, the combs B
may be moved to the required positions, relatively to the plates A, by hand; or
such movement may be performed by them automatically in the process of putting
on the hat; this would be effected in a manner somewhat similar to that described
with reference to Figure 8 and 8*. The comb or combs would, in that case, have
bands attached to them, which, as the hat is being put on, would come into opera-
tion through touching the wearer's head.
In the several modifications of the hat retainer, described above, the insertion
of the comb-teeth, or hooks or points (as the case may be) into the hair may also

page_text: be effected by suitable spring mechanism, the wearer being obliged, in these cases,
to compress the springs in putting on and taking off the hat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A ladies' hat retainer or fastener comprising one or more covering 'plates or
comb cases arranged on the hat body and one or more pins or combs pivoted to
such covering plates or comb cases, and means for turning the said pins or combs
on such covering plates or in such comb cases in such a manner that when in use
the points of such needles or combs project beyond the covering plates or cases and
enter the wearer's hair but when out of use they are covered by the covering plates
or comb cases and held out of contact with the wearer's hair, substantially as
shown and described.
2. A ladies' hat retainer of the character herein described having two parallel
covering plates arranged in the hat body; two pairs of combs constituting a
parallelogram, the comb backs meeting at one corner being pivotally connected
with each other and with one of the covering plates, the comb backs meeting
at the diagonally opposite corner of the parallelogram being pivotally connected
with each other and with the other covering plate, and the comb backs meeting
at the remaining corners of such parallelogram being pivotally connected with
each other; and means for moving the covering plates relatively to each other
in the direction of the diagonal passing through the first mentioned corners of
the said parallelogram; substantially as shown and described.
3. A ladies' hat retainer of the character described, comprising two combs
arranged in one plane with the point of the one directed towards the other, and
carried by plates adapted to move in the planes of the combs and in a direction
at right angles to the comb backs, for pushing such combs beyond the said plates
to cause them to engage with the wearer's hair and for drawing them back so as
to cover them by such plates, substantially as shown and described.
4. A device such as claimed in Claim 3 in which the back of one comb serves
as the covering plate of the other comb, substantially as described and shown with
reference to Fig. 10.
5. A device such as claimed in Claim 4 in which the comb teeth stand obliquely
to the comb backs and the teeth of the one comb guides those of the other, sub-
stantially as described and shown with reference to Fig. 11.
6. A ladies' hat retainer consisting of a comb B having inclined teeth, and of
a plate A having lugs or projections adapted to cover the comb teeth, so that, by
shifting the comb, its teeth come in front of the spaces between the lugs or pro-
jections on the plate A for entering into the wearer's hair, substantially as described
and shown with reference to Fig. 12.
7. A ladies' hat retainer having combs and covering plates, such combs being
adapted to move at right angles to such covering plates or nearly so, and such
covering plates having holes for the combs to pass through to enable them to
engage with the wearer's hair substantially as described and shown with reference
to Figs. 8 and 8*.
8. A ladies' hat retainer comprising a comb casing or covering plate A adapted
to be secured within the crown of the hat, a comb B adapted to slide along the
comb casing or covering plate, a rod C₁'secured to the back of the comb and pro-
jecting outwards through the crown of the hat, and a removeable handle 03 'on the
outer end of the said rod C, the, teeth of the comb having blunt points as distin-
guished from teeth having spherical or like ends, substantially as described.
9. A ladies' hat retainer comprising a covering plate or comb case A, a comb B
adapted to slide along such plate or case, one or more teeth A* of such comb being
provided with longitudinal slots or grooves A², and such plate or case being pro-
vided with pins C secured thereto and engaging with the said grooves or slots,

page_text: he said comb being provided, or not, at its back with an actuating rod C¹ having
removeable handle C3 at its outer end, substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of January 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.